The Press 09.01.2023

Liberty educators reach tentative deal

By Jeff Weisinger Staff Writer

The Liberty Education Association (LEA) and the Liberty Union High School District (LUHSD) tentatively agreed to a new contract last Thursday, Aug. 24, that will not only increase teachers’ salaries, but also will improve their work schedules and benefits going forward as the new school year ends its first month.

The LEA and the LHUSD reached a deal about 24 hours after numerous teachers and staff from throughout the district went to the district building in Brentwood demanding better pay and working conditions.

“We want this career to be attractive,” said Hillary Pedrotti, the president of the LEA and a longtime English teacher within the district who’s currently at Heritage High School. “These are professional educators. They deserve to be paid professional wages.”

The highlights of the new deal

include:

• A 7 percent salary increase retroactive to July

• A 1 percent additional salary increase starting in January 2024.

• Increases the stipends for those with masters degrees to $2,000 and those with doctoral degrees to $3,000.

According to the LUHSD

salary schedule from last year, the starting teacher’s salary was $59,728 to $65,898 depending on the amount of teaching credential units earned. Teachers who have worked in the district for 10-30 years made anywhere from just over $80,000 to more than $116,000 last year depending on their time and their credential background.

“The board recognizes the importance of attracting and retaining quality employees for the district,” Pedrotti said. “That’s critical.”

The proposal that is set for agreement and consideration will be voted on within the LEA the first week in September. The agreement ends nearly eight months of negotiations dating to the beginning of the 2023 spring semester.

“People seem pretty positive about it when they run the numbers and they look at it,” Pedrotti said. “We’ve been trying to help the educators coming in, people in their first 10 years, bring that sort of bottom end up a little bit more.”

According to the California Department of Education, California teachers salaries in 2020-21 in a district the size of the LUHSD ranged from just over $55,000 to about as much as $117,000.

There’s also a boost to the benefits teachers are now expected

see Contract page 18

‘Abysmal’ end leads to positive new tone

the Byron Union School District (BUSD) meeting on June 8, highlighting what they saw as a lack of student discipline.

By Melissa van Ruiten Staff Writer and Rene De Amaral Correspondent

Despite frustrations from teachers during the 2022-23 school year at Excelsior Middle School in Byron, new policies and structure have been implemented in an attempt to bring renewed positivity to the district.

Several teachers spoke up at

New app raises questions

By Sean Tongson Correspondent

A new app targeted at high school students to aid their lives at school and organize their schedules is generating concerns over potential safety and privacy issues.

During the public comment portion of the meeting, five Excelsior teachers each used their allotted three minutes to read a group statement that they, and other teachers at the school, had prepared ahead of time. The statement outlined the issues they say their school has been facing and the complexities of their current school culture. Ultimately, their unified message was a plea: Get student behavior under control.

“We are generally alarmed, frightened even, over what is hap-

After facing issues with student behavior and discipline, teachers and staff at Excelsior Middle School in Byron are optimistic about positive changes made for the upcoming school year.

pening at Excelsior in terms of the learning environment, the overall culture of the school, and the safety and wellbeing of Excelsior students and staff,” said Tak Nabori, an

eighth-grade science teacher.

Nabori outlined some of the issues plaguing the school:

see School page 18

Saturn is a scheduling app, which allows students to easily load their course schedule, receive updates about happenings in their school, as well as being able to connect with other students in their classes. According to their website, Saturn, started in 2018 by former University of Pennsylvania classmates Max Barron and Dylan Diamond, is the first calendar built specifically for high school. It gives students control over their schedules, activities, and connections, while being designed to be used only by active students. According to Kim Karr, executive director and co-founder of cyberbullying website Icanhelp.net (“I Can Help”) however, the Saturn app has posed several safety risks, which have the potential to generate concern for students and parents alike.

“I was able to log into all the high schools to see the list of students, which is also concerning how easy it was for me to switch schools so easily as a user,” said Karr. “I was able to sign up as a freshman in high school to see what kind of safety they had on the app, and

see App page 11

Teachers from the Liberty Union High School District took to the district office for last Wednesday’s school board meeting to make their voices heard for their new contract.

Photo by Jeff Weisinger

Photo by Melissa van Ruiten

By Hemananthani Sivanandam Correspondent

In the heart of Contra Costa County, 4-H, a program deeply rooted in agricultural heritage, has flourished for decades, with its oldest club in the county established in Knightsen in the late 1920s.

The Knightsen 4-H’s beginning dates as early as 1927. But according to the Contra Costa County 4-H, Knightsen was the first club in East County to be chartered in 1946, followed by the Delta-Diablo Club 4-H in 2003; Brentwood 4-H Club in 2008 and Oakley 4-H Club in 2016. There are 11 4-H clubs in Contra Costa County.

In 1902, A.B. Graham started a youth program in Clark County, Ohio, believed to be the birth of the 4-H program. Twelve years later, the passage of the Smith-Lever Act created the Cooperative Extension System at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and that nationalized 4-H, which stands for head, heart, hands, and health.

While 4-H origins can be traced back to a time when agriculture was the heartbeat of the community, the program today offers a variety of enrichment activities and opportunities -- from agricultural skills and animal sciences to environmental protection, Science Technology Engineering Mathematics (STEM)-related programs such as robotics, geology, computer science and much more. What the club does

Children and teenagers complete handson projects in areas like health, science, agri-

boasts oldest 4-H club in

culture, and civic engagement in a positive environment where they receive guidance from adult mentors and are encouraged to take on proactive leadership roles.

Knightsen 4-H co-club leader Maria Jehs said many people have a misconception about the program as only raising livestock and participating in county fairs, but there are a slew of different activities and projects for children to participate in and teaching them life skills.

“When they have their livestock, they must raise it to make sure the weight is consistent, and they need to learn how to get a buyer for these animals.

“The buyers don’t just show up; the children need to learn how to present the animals to encourage the buyers to purchase their animals,” said Maria.

Her children, Aiden, 15, and Aubry, 12 are members of 4-H and started by raising animals such as pigs, turkeys, and broiler chickens.

Aiden was initially a Boy Scout, but decided to join 4-H in 2019 as he wanted to try something new, and he has not regretted his decision to do so.

He started by first raising and caring for animals like pigs and meat birds such as turkeys before they were auctioned off at the county fair.

Aiden has even won several showmanship prizes at the fair. Last year, he came in first place for the swine showmanship class as well as swine novice showmanship category and moved up to the advanced level. This

year, he came in first in the swine breeding class featuring his farm animal Webby at the Contra Costa County fair in May.

Being the president of the Knightsen 4-H, Aiden also picked up leadership skills and hopes to encourage members to participate in shadowing activities in which younger members sign up for positions they would like to try out for.

“For example, if someone wants to see what it’s like to be the club’s president, we would call them in the next meeting to sit next to the position they signed up for, and they would have the agenda packet of the meeting or they can even decide to lead part of the meeting to get them more involved,” he said.

Signing up

Enrollment for 4-H typically starts in August, but children aged five and older can

register at any time. Last year, the Knightsen 4-H had about 60 members and expects about the same for this year, said Jehs.

“Before COVID, past club leaders had to cap membership at 150 kids. Now, we are not close to those pre-COVID numbers yet, but I have a feeling in the next few years, we will be there,” she added.

Club leader Rosa Sherwood said she got her three children Von, 14, Ian, 13, and Allie, 10 enrolled in 4-H thanks to her mother-in-law.

Her children have participated in various sewing, arts and crafts, and community service projects in 4-H, apart from raising pigs, lambs, and meat birds.

“My youngest daughter has been part of 4-H since she was one year old because of

BRENTWOOD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE PRESENTS

Left: Community Service cleaning up the Brentwood Chamber of Commerce gala in July 2023. Pictured (left to right): Tapanga Lewis, Aiden Jehs, James Couchman, Aubry Jehs, Ian Sherwood, Von Sherwood. Right: Aiden in his uniform with Webby in the ring at the county fair.

Photos by Maria Jehs

Stand down event in Antioch to help veterans

By Sean Tongson Correspondent

The Delta Veterans Group will present Stand Down on the Delta, a homeless veterans’ “Hand Up” event from Sept. 8-11 at the Contra Costa County Fairgrounds in Antioch.

It provides homeless veterans a range of services and resources, including food, clothing, medical and dental care, housing and job placement, veterans treatment court, and counseling for drug, alcohol, and mental health.

“These events provide a safe and supportive environment for homeless veterans to access services and resources that can help them improve their lives,” said Delta Veterans Group President J.R. Wilson. “Overall, Stand Downs can be an important resource for homeless veterans in the San Francisco Bay Area, providing them with the support and assistance they need to rebuild their lives and regain their independence.”

The Stand Down on the Delta is a biennial event, which to date has helped 1,454 veterans and their families since its inception in 2015. According to Wilson, over 23,000 meals have been served, 1,100 pairs of boots, 1,500 sleeping bags, 1,300 pairs of new jeans have been given, $500,000 has been provided in dental care, and over 200 veterans have been taken fishing on the Delta shores, while also helping many more veterans find permanent housing. Wilson says that these Stand Downs restore

a sense of community by bringing together various organizations and individuals that are dedicated to serving homeless veterans, while also providing veterans with an opportunity to connect with other veterans.

“We work with over 70 different organizations during our four day event, and provide these services with the goal of establishing a firm foundation from which they can then use to serve others,” said Wilson. “In September 2019, over 850 volunteers from around the state of California and even as far as South Carolina came to Antioch to help us provide these great services to our veterans.”

Set-up begins for the 2023 event on Tuesday, Sept. 5. Organizers said volunteers are sought to help with set-up and tear-down, as well as at the event. It is open to the public on Saturday, Sept. 9 as part of their “Veterans Served Their Country and Veterans Serve Their Communities” initiative, but will be limited to veterans on Friday, Sept. 8, Sunday, Sept. 10 and Monday, Sept. 11.

“We are very inclusive and very welcoming to everyone that attends,” said Wilson. “We want to give our veterans a new mission of service, to serve their communities beyond their own neighborhoods.”

Volunteers, service providers and veterans may register at www.deltaveteransgroup. org. Additional information is at https:// deltaveteransgroup.org/stand-on-the-deltasponsors. A link to their Facebook page is at Stand Down on the Delta, 2023

Local students share their perspectives on local and national news. To submit, send to editor@brentwoodpress.com

The economic and cultural impacts of Taylor Swift’s massive Eras tour

Taylor Swift, the global superstar, has left an indelible mark on the music industry with her talent, versatility, and innovation. Starting as a country singer-songwriter, she seamlessly transitioned into the world of many genres from pop to indie music.

One of the defining moments in her career has been the ongoing Eras tour, a groundbreaking musical journey that captivated fans globally. The Eras tour encapsulated all of her discography into different eras, each representing a distinct phase of her artistic development.

This evolution showcased her versatility and appealed to a broader audience, making the tour relevant to fans old and new. Unlike any of her past tours, her performances across the United States brought substantial economic benefits to each city she visited.

The tour shattered records across

the United States as it became one of the highest-grossing concert tours in history, with sold-out stadiums and arenas in cities from coast to coast. Significant economic boosts were brought to each city as concertgoers spent money on tickets, merchandise, dining, transportation, and accommodations. Local businesses, especially those near the concert venues, enjoyed increased sales, leading to a surge in revenue and job opportunities.

“The Eras Tour, which started in March and ends in the U.S. on Aug. 9, is on track to become the biggest in concert history, potentially grossing $1 billion,” according to an article on July 23, 2023, in the Wall Street Journal.

From the host city to surrounding areas, the influx of visitors boosted the tourism industry as fans explored the host city, stayed in hotels, and dined in local restaurants. It effectively turned each city into a temporary hub for Swifties, generating tourism revenue.

In Santa Clara, the whole city renamed itself “Swiftie Clara” for the two days Swift was in town.

In some cases, hosting a massive

concert like the Eras tour required cities to invest in infrastructure upgrades, such as improving transportation options or renovating concert venues. These upgrades often had lasting benefits for the city’s residents long after the tour had left town. Some cities may have had venues that were not widely known nationally.

“Her Chicago dates resulted in record-breaking demand for hotel accommodations with an average of over 44,000 hotel rooms occupied each night, resulting in an unprecedented occupancy rate of 97%,” according to the Camoin Associates, an Economic Development and Business Lead Generation Firm.

Hosting the Eras tour allowed these venues to gain exposure and recognition, potentially attracting more events and artists in the future, and further benefiting the local entertainment industry.

Swift brought a visual spectacle to each area as her attention to detail in stage design, costumes, and choreography was unparalleled. The extravagant sets and costume changes immersed the audience in the themes of each era,

creating a captivating experience.

This production level set a new standard for live performances in the United States and inspired countless artists to elevate their stage shows. The Eras tour took fan engagement to a new level. Swift made an effort to connect with her audience through heartfelt speeches and personal stories, making every fan feel seen and heard, along with giving one of her fans her hat during her song “22.”

As Swift’s Eras tour continues its way around the world, the indelible mark it left on the United States will mark the first of any musical artist. The tour showcased the power of music to unite and inspire through its celebration of Swift’s evolution, visual spectacles, inclusivity, impact on pop culture, charitable initiatives, and record-breaking success. It will be remembered as a pivotal moment in American music history and a testament to Swift’s immense influence.

https://www.levisstadium.com/2022/11/ taylor-swift-the-eras-tour-announced/

- By Muskaan Adeel Second year, Los Medanos College

The trials and tribulations of the transition from high school to college

After completing 12 years of primary and secondary education, life looks different for everyone once that chapter of one’s life closes. New high school graduates embarking on their journey into adulthood will experience the inevitable changes and emotions to come along the way. Amidst the newness and uncertainty of it all, recent high school graduates share what their futures will look like after high school and different routes they’re headed toward.

Megan Sun, attending UC Irvine to major in data science, said she looks forward to the change that college will bring.

“I knew since I was young that I wanted to go to college, but I never really had a dream college though,” said Sun. “I chose UC Irvine because it was one of the only schools that accepted me because admissions were kind of rough this year and very unpredictable. But I’m happy I chose

it because especially being in SoCal, it will be a new environment for me and that’s what I’m looking forward to.”

Despite the rush of excitement high school graduates experience as they transition to incoming college students, they also often express the looming fears and anxieties they encounter with this change. Independence attests to adulthood, and attending a four-year institution often means moving far from home, encouraging young adults to embrace a new normal.

In an article published by DePaul University, Noreen Jahan lists “10 Fears Everyone Has in College,” with homesickness marked as number 6. Therefore, Sun is not alone when they express the lingering nerves they still have before entering college.

“Assuming this whole new level of responsibility is nerve-racking because in high school I didn’t have to deal with the responsibility that I will have in college,” said Sun. “I also think I’ll have a hard time adjusting to living so far away from my family because with them living in Brentwood and me living in Irvine, it’s not like they can come to visit me very easily.”

Taryn Richey, attending Quincy University in Illinois for aviation and to further her soccer career at the collegiate level, expresses similar concerns.

“I was pretty nervous about being so far from home and having to start over the process of finding new friends. It can certainly be lonely the first few weeks especially when your family can’t see you all the time because you’re 30 hours away,” said Richey. “The biggest adjustment for me is going to be navigating the world on my own now that I’m living without my parents and I have to be practical about what I buy.”

However, not all graduates choose to attend a four-year institution right out of high school. Despite their initial acceptances into Sacramento State University and San Jose State University, Kendall Eichler, encouraged by their parents, opted to enroll in community college at Los Medanos College. There, Eichler plans to pursue studio art or journalism and take classes that will further enhance their photography skills with the end goal of later transferring to a four-year college. “I chose LMC because I applied to Sac State and San Jose.

I got in and then I had a – little moment where I was like ‘I don’t know how I feel about it’ so I chose community [college] much to my parents’ liking. My mom works for the CCCC district so she was trying to get me to go,” said Eichler.

Eichler stresses the importance of college in the face of being told by peers that it’s not necessary for the career path they choose.

“Every photographer I’ve ever talked to is like, ‘I didn’t go to school, I just did it on my own’ and I’m, like, ‘Well yeah’ but I still think it’s important to go to college,” said Eichler.

As many of these recent high school graduates demonstrated, life presents many choices, some more serious than others. After age 18, young adults embark upon adulthood and all the minor to major challenges that come to be. Some choose to go to college as a way to kick-start their future while others experiment with pathways that do not involve college. Nevertheless, it’s essential to embrace the ever-changing world of adulthood and its unpredictability.

- By Briana Rose First year, Los Medanos College

Youth Writer

Muskaan adeel

Youth Writer Briana rose

Wreaths Across America and American Legion Auxiliary enter partnership

National nonprofits Wreaths Across America (WAA) and the American Legion Auxiliary (ALA) are proud to announce the signing of a deal to build a stronger awareness of each group’s common missions while supporting fundraising efforts nationwide.

Founded in 2007 and headquartered in Columbia Falls, Maine, WAA is best known for its annual wreath-laying ceremonies each December. The organization’s yearlong mission is to Remember the fallen, Honor those who serve, and Teach the next generation the value of freedom. Now in nearly 4,000 communities nationwide, WAA volunteers are committed to sharing the mission through education and stories of service and success.

ALA is a community of volunteers serving veterans, military, and their families.

Their members also support the mission of The American Legion to improve the quality of life for veterans. Founded in 1919, the ALA is one of the oldest patriotic membership organizations in the United States. The ALA has been essential in increasing veterans’ welfare and rehabilitation nationwide, including participation in the annual National Wreaths Across America Day events.

The deal between the two groups focuses on engagement with ALA members and WAA volunteers to create opportunities

for joint community service activities that bring awareness to both groups’ missions. ALA will expand its participation in WAA’s Group Sponsorship Program – there are already more than 100 ALA groups participating nationwide – which raises awareness and sponsorships to place veterans’ wreaths and support programming while offering ALA an option for fundraising.

ALA will use its fundraising dollars earned through this program to support the American Legion Auxiliary Foundation, which benefits veterans, military, and their families by funding American Legion Auxiliary programs today and for future generations. Founded in 2007, the ALA Foundation assists in carrying out the educational, charitable, and other exempt purposes of the Auxiliary by raising funds for, assisting in the conduct of, and providing support to the Auxiliary programs.

To support the ALA’s efforts through the WAA program, you can make a $17 sponsorship at www.wreathsacrossamerica. org/amlegaux

Learn more at https://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/Home/News/1004

Elections office lauds new values by the U.S. Alliance for Election Excellence

The Contra Costa County Elections Division applauds the release of nonpartisan values from the Alliance for Election

Excellence that will guide the collaborative’s work as it helps to create programs and resources for local election departments to improve operations.

As a Center for Election Excellence, Contra Costa Elections provided feedback to help shape the values, and has shared examples of best practices that can be helpful to other jurisdictions around the country.

“Our office is humbled to be part of this collaborative, working to maintain our healthy democracy,” said Kristin Connelly, Contra Costa County Clerk-Recorder and Registrar of Voters. “The 2024 Presidential election cycle is around the corner, and we are proud to help create supportive initiatives for our fellow elections offices across the country.”

“I’m grateful for the leadership of Contra Costa Elections in helping us to develop nonpartisan values that will move election administrators forward by creating a roadmap they can use to improve the voting experience,” said Tiana Epps-Johnson, founder and executive director of the Center for Tech and Civic Life. “These values will ensure that voters have access to a process that is secure, fair and trustworthy no matter what their ZIP code is.”

The U.S. Alliance for Election Excellence is a nonpartisan collaborative that brings together election officials, designers, technologists, and other experts to help local election departments improve operations, develop a set of shared standards and values, and obtain access to best-in-class resources to run successful elections.

Antioch Lottery Scratcher theft leader pleads guilty in organized scheme

The Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office and California State Lottery officials have announced that Ryan Anderson of Antioch pleaded guilty to nine felony charges as the ringleader of an organized retail theft ring.

Anderson, 32, was the mastermind behind a group responsible for committing more than 100 organized retail crime thefts from stores authorized to sell California Lottery Scratchers and redeem winning Scratcher tickets for prize money.

Anderson and his associates targeted convenience and grocery stores, in seven counties including Contra Costa.

By early 2022, the California State Lottery investigators -- working with Contra Costa DA’s Major Financial Crimes division -- identified Anderson as the ringleader of a group responsible for 71 separate thefts of lottery tickets valued at a total of $95,565 and an additional $59,105 in prize money stolen from 65 retail locations between March 27, 2022, and Oct. 25 of that year.

The terms of the plea mean that Anderson will spend three years in state prison, admit probation violations, and pay full restitution to the California State Lottery.

Walk to prevent suicide

MANAGING YOUR COMPANIES’ DATA

By Seana Fippin, Red Box Business Solutions

Our world is overflowing with data. By 2025, experts anticipate there will be 180 zettabytes of global data. Managing all of this data, however, is a HUGE responsibility. It can cost a lot of money and even harm a business if we do not manage data properly. What happens when we waste data?

All of this data storage requires energy. That energy is frequently derived from non-renewable sources. Data centers storing all this information are adding to carbon emissions. What’s more, there is not enough accountability for data management. Some businesses are wasting money storing unused and unwanted data. How business owners feel the pinch.

Volunteers from Contra Costa County will be gathering at an event to promote suicide prevention awareness and resources. The Oakley Out of the Darkness Community Walk, hosted by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) Greater San Francisco Bay Area Chapter will be held on Saturday, Oct. 7 at 8 a.m. at Civic Center Park in Oakley. This gathering, one of many nationwide, will support education, research, and survivor support programs. More information can be found at afsp.org/oakley.

For business owners, especially in the IT sector, this is a big problem. Many spend a lot of money storing data they never use again. This waste is increasing as businesses collect more data. This puts a lot of pressure on IT leaders. 75% of them find managing excess data storage a significant stressor. Recognizing when we waste data

To fix the issue, we first have to recognize the problem. Here are five signs your business might have data waste:

• If you are not adding the correct metadata.

• If you think the data has no purpose after you have used it once.

• If your team does not see value in the data.

• If there is poor communication between your teams.

• If your team is finding it hard to interpret the data.

Tips for better data management

Preventing data waste is about more than just having good technology. It is about changing how your team thinks about data. It starts with knowing what data you need and how to use it. Here are a few steps you can take:

• Equip your IT team with the right digital tools to manage data.

• Make a good plan for how you will handle data.

• Move your data into the cloud with the help of hyperscale providers.

• nvest in proper training and best practices.

Don’t drown in data

Managing data properly has become critical. You can make better decisions by understanding what your data is worth and the impact of storing it. Teach your team to understand data. Make a good plan for handling data. Give your IT team the tools they need or reach out to the nation’s leading IT team at Red Box. Instead of stressing about managing data, turn it into a chance to make your business run smoothly, save money, and protect your company.

Join us for our free data privacy event on Wednesday, September 20th at 5:30 at Brentwood Craft Beer and Cider. Register TODAY at DataPrivacy.Eventbrite.com.

Photo courtesy of Lindsey Cooper

O pini O n

Letters to the editor

Meals on Wheels celebrating 35th year with big fundraising goal

Editor: Meals on Wheels of Contra Costa County Inc. has a fundraising group of volunteers that has been actively raising money for our local Meals on Wheels during the last 34 years.

We are celebrating our banner 35th year with a goal to donate $50,000 this year for the first time ever.

To date, we are proud to say our community has donated over $558,000 to aid our local seniors with nutritious meals weekly. We invite participation by the Delta community in these upcoming fun-draisers:

• Annual Bowling Tournament

on Sept. 16 at Delta Fair Bowl Antioch with an awards dinner following at San Joaquin Yacht Club. Tickets are $60 per person. Contact Toni 925-303-7081 or email MOWBowlSJYCFeed@gmail.com.

• New this year is Oktoberfest, a Family Fun Day happening Sunday October 22 at Delta Sports Bar and Grill on Bethel Island. This event offers beers and wines, authentic German foods, games for kids of all ages. Prizes, a jumpy house, theme costume contest and a DJ. Tickets are $25 adults and $10 for youth 4-12. Hot dogs, chips and a beverage will be available. Contact Patricia at 510-396-6937, or email MOWFestSJYC@gmail. com for tickets.

We are counting on our community coming together to make this awesome banner year successful. If you cannot participate, consider sponsoring or donating as all proceeds benefit our home-bound seniors in East Contra Costa.

Patricia Atkins

Member, National Association of Jewelry Appraisers and Meals on Wheels volunteer

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Utility companies are up to no good Editor, PG&E, SCE, and San Diego Gas & Electric are trying to pull a fast one on us, and there hasn’t been nearly enough media coverage about what they’re up to.

They are trying to impose a utility tax of $400-$1,000 per year on us. This will raise electricity bills for millions of hard-working Californians like myself, who are just trying to make ends meet. I’m appalled that the

legislature and Gov. Newsom voted in favor of this proposal.

If it goes through, we’ll be forced to pay more even before we turn on a light switch. This isn’t right. These utility companies made more than $30 billion in profit last year, and for what? Burning down our state and poisoning our air and water? Why are our elected officials giving them a pass here? It’s an outrage and it deserves MUCH more attention.

Joan Brown

❏

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Patriots ‘growing up,’ aim for 2-0 start Friday after winning OT thriller at Foothill

By Jeff Weisinger Staff writer and Juan Cebreiros Correspondent

Heritage’s come-from-behind win at Heritage last Friday night was anything but perfect.

However, for a team that has continued to “grow up” from spring ball through summer, and now through Week 1, they’ll take it.

“We eventually did grow up as a team,” junior quarterback Austin Peters said at practice on Tuesday. “We have all of our leaders and we do have a lot of young guys and guys who just had their first varsity start. We definitely did grow up and I’m very proud of everyone.”

Heritage rallied down 22-7 entering the fourth quarter and with their only score coming off of a 100-yard kick return for a touchdown by junior wide receiver JJ Kinnaird to start the game.

“We talked at halftime about who was missing their assignments,” said head coach Dave Fogelstrom. “We didn’t do any adjusting in terms of changing what we do. We just had to do what we were supposed to do and what we were coached to do.”

Peters led the Patriots downfield early in the fourth quarter, which was capped by a rushing touchdown by Emanuel Rankins to cut the deficit to 22-14.

The Patriots kept the drive alive after a crucial pass interference call on fourth-andlong after a halfback pass to Kinnaird that fell short extended the drive. Peters then hit Kinnaird again on a short hitch route, then

he turned and ran the remaining 10 yards to cut Foothill’s lead to just two.

Peters then found a diving Kinnaird on the two-point conversion to tie the game at 22.

In overtime, Peters drove the offense downfield once again, finding junior tight end Charlie Blaise for a gain of 25 yards on fourth-and-14 from their own 29 yard line.

“It was Austin’s best ball of the night,” Fogelstrom said after the game last Friday.

Rankins broke free two plays later for the game-winning touchdown.

The rally by Heritage followed three quarters during which the offense couldn’t get much done, something Fogelstrom expected with his young team.

“We spent three quarters kind of stum-

bling over our feet,” Fogelstrom explained on Tuesday. “But when they got it cleaned up, they showed their potential.”

Despite the furious fourth-quarter heroics by Peters & Company as they drove the offense downfield, he went only 8-for-20 on the night for 91 yards with the touchdown pass to Kinnaird in the fourth quarter. Rankins had two touchdowns and ran for 75 yards on 22 carries.

With all eyes now watching on Montana-bound senior receiver Brooks Davis, Kinnaird stepped up for 66 yards on six catches with the game-tying touchdown and two-point conversion.

“JJ is a heck of a player,” Fogelstrom said of Kinnaird. “So if you’re going to try

to cover Brooks with two guys, that’s fine. We’re going to go another direction with it. We got guys who can step up around here.”

Fogelstrom added that Davis missed most of the week of practice last week with the flu and didn’t play in the first quarter. He did have a 60-yard punt return to set up the Patriots’ eventual game-tying drive.

With the Week 1 classic now in the books, Heritage now looks forward to their home opener against Livermore’s Granada High School, who lost their opener to Monte Vista 42-3 last week.

Despite knowing that their upcoming opponent struggled out of the gates, Fogelstrom and the Patriots know that the Granada that played last week won’t be the one that shows up Friday night down Balfour Road.

“We’ve already talked about the fact that Monte Vista is going to be one of the top four teams in (North Coast Section) Division-I,” Fogelstrom said. “That game is not at all indicative of who Granada is. They’re big, they’re strong, they’re physical. They got a heck of a quarterback who’s a good athlete who can run and throw. We got our hands full and we got to be prepared for him on Friday.”

The Matadors’ senior quarterback, Quinn Boyd, threw for 141 yards in the loss against the Mustangs last week, but also ran for another 64 yards on eight carries.

“You can do everything right on the back end in terms of coverage and he can go ahead and make a successful play for his team,” Fogelstrom said. “We’re definitely aware of who he is and what he can do.”

Heritage looks for its offense in loss to Granada

By Juan Cebreiros Correspondent

“We gotta get our offense going,” head coach Janet Hannigan said following the Heritage Patriots’ 3-1 home opener loss against the Granada Matadors. Granada won the first set 29-27, the second set 25-17, and the fourth set 25-18.

While the Patriots managed to fend off a Granada sweep by winning Set 3, 25-21, it was in Set 1 when the momentum of the match was decided.

Both teams had their share of errors during the match but Granada was able to take advantage of the errors more than the Patriots.

“They had a lot of errors. We should’ve capitalized on them and we didn’t,” Hannigan said. “We have to do a better job at running our offense and playing defense.”

The Patriots managed to rally back from seven points down and had chances to win the set when they led 26-25 and 27-26. However, three straight scores from Granada was a killing blow to any momentum the comeback created.

The Patriots rarely led during the match when despite winning Set 3, their lack of a consistent offense had the Pa-

triots playing from behind across all four sets.

Hannigan said she’s looking forward to a fresh start next week after a rough stretch of games against Castro Valley the night before and then the Granada match. She also added that early season struggles aren’t wanted, but are expected with a young and new roster.

“We’re at a point now where everyone’s gotta contribute whether it’s verbally or with your skill,” Hannigan said.

However, she learned valuable lessons from the match, such as the team’s defense performing better as the match progressed.

“Our defense picked up as the match went on, which was good for us. We did a very good job blocking at times,” Hannigan said.

She also took note of her team’s ability to battle back numerous times throughout the match. “I was pleasantly surprised with some of the fight that we had,” she added. “They just had a lot of errors and we should’ve taken more advantage of them.”

Hannigan also has optimism for the little mistakes during the team’s first two matches of the season to go away as the season goes on.

“A lot of it can be a combination of lack of volleyball IQ and the jump from JV or club to Varsity being a pretty big one,” Hannigan said.

The Patriots played at the West High School Wolfpack in Tracy on Wednesday, Aug. 30, before returning home to face the Mt. Diablo Red Devils on Wednesday Sept. 6 with both start times scheduled for 6:30 p.m.

Quarterback Austin Peters and head coach Dave Fogelstrom celebrate after the Patriots’ come-from-behind win at Foothill.

Photo courtesy Heritage High School

The Heritage High volleyball team hopes its offense comes to life soon despite its young, new roster.

Photo by Jennifer Rhinebeck

App

there was none except getting my cell number to confirm my phone number. Teens are gullible and will not check to make sure they are real students and could have the potential to communicate with predators on this app.”

According to Karr, Liberty High School (552), Heritage High School (89), Deer Valley High School (78), and Antioch High School (45) all have registered students using the Saturn app. A presenter for the Brentwood Union School District for social media, Karr last year visited freshmen at Heritage High School along with students at Adams Middle School and Bristow Middle School to speak about various topics ranging from citizenship, literacy, wellness, and digital safety. Although students at local high schools are using the Saturn app, schools are not affiliated with the Saturn app, as schools that are launched on Saturn use information that is publicly available from school websites and the U.S. Department of Education.

“In spite of the company’s recent ‘verification’ feature, that it is possible for someone to claim to be a student, which would allow them to get access to detailed information about kids that could be used to target a child,” said Karr. “What is fearful about the app is that a predator can sign up as a fake student and now get a list of students’ names and their class schedule.”

As of August 2023, Saturn is available for free on Apple and Android devices, and has grown to list 16,000 schools with 1.01 million active users, with 252,000 downloads between August 13 and 19, and a performance score of 83 (out of 100), per statistics obtained

from and TechCrunch and www.data.ai. According to the Saturn website, a new version of Saturn was released as of Aug. 17 with updated security features including expansion and improvements to Saturn’s system to flag accounts and enhancing the process of removing all suspected non-students.

While it is a growing social media platform, many local parents and school officials have been largely unaware of the growing app, with few exceptions.

Eric Volta, superintendent of Liberty Union High School District, The reality is “We haven’t seen a large number of students using this app.”

Dana Eaton, superintendent of the Brentwood Unified School District, said he is not aware of the app.

Some parents said they wanted to address the question instead of their children.

Brentwood parent Melissa Alvarez, whose children use Saturn, acknowledges the convenience in being able to have a calendar for students to organize notes and stay on top of tasks, but she expressed concern about everyone having access to it.

“I can see both sides,” said Alvarez. “What I know about Saturn is that it is a calendar for students and it can be shared amongst each other. It is nice to be on top of tasks and stay on top of notes and other things. But the concerning part is safety, which can be a concern to parents. I think it comes down to teaching it and making people aware. People can hack anything if you’re online. But when outside people have access to it, that’s what makes it risky. There’s potential for stupidity.”

Oakley parent Lacey Yamaguchi, how-

Photo

ever, said that although she allows her teenage children to have certain social media platforms, the Saturn app could allow an avenue for adults to have access to minors, due to many teens being unsupervised, thus making them susceptible to cyber abuse.

“I would pass on it,” said Yamaguchi. “If it is not linked with the school and the parents for oversight and consequences, it’s subject to major issues. Because I am unfamiliar and have heard nothing about it through my

contacts, I don’t believe it’s necessary to connect with classmates for success in education. Overall, this generation needs to work on their in-person social interactions. It’s a ‘no’ for me.”

“According to my son (Alfred, a junior at Heritage High), his positive feedback from the Saturn app is all about the classes and bunch of teachers you can add in the app,” said parent Robert White. “The negative side is that you have to send an invite to three to five people in order to get an approval from the app. I think the three to five invitations are the safety precautions from the app.”

Meanwhile, Karr continues to stress the importance for parents to talk to their children and educate them on the potential danger for websites and social media, as well as how to handle a difficult situation online if it does arise. Additionally, Karr has also advised parents to start educating themselves on this topic and team up to show each other support.

“What parents should be doing at home is finding out if their child has Saturn downloaded to their phone or are in the app,” said Karr. “This online world is here to stay. Our organization keeps up on the trends and works closely with the tech companies to help find the right steps to protract our youth. It starts with conversations, so hopefully the schools will partner with us again this year because it is something that needs to be addressed every year.”

Downtown banners to be auctioned at Oct. 27 gala

By Juan Cebreiros Correspondent

The Art Guild of the Delta’s Banner Up! program has announced the 53 banners that were put on display in downtown Brentwood will be auctioned off at a free gala from 6:30-10 p.m. at the Brentwood Veterans Memorial Building on Friday, Oct. 27.

The gala will include small bites, local wine by the glass, raffles, live music and a live auctioneer to facilitate the sales of these unique original art banners, said Rosalinda Grejsen. The auctioneer will start the banner sales

at $100, Delta Gallery director Kathy Emerick said.

All proceeds from each banner sale will be split between the Brentwood Veteran Memorial Building and the artist.

Banners will be coming down the first week of September for cleaning and then put on display at the Brentwood Community Center Public Art Walls from the first week of September through Oct. 26, Emerick said, adding that the banner guides are available at the Community Center. A reception will be held at the community center for the artists and public on Wednesday, Sept. 13 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. to view these

original banners.

The Banner Up! program was established in 2017 by the Art Guild of the Delta to inspire artists in the area to create their artwork on a 24-inch by 48inch vinyl banner. These banners were then displayed throughout downtown Brentwood in Brentwood City Park, and on Oak, First, Second and Chestnut streets over the summer.

For more information about the program and to see an archive of previous year’s banners, visit https://bit. ly/3JEjDdO. For details about the Art Guild of the Delta, visit https://bit. ly/42m1lEF

Photo by Melissa van Ruiten

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, September 1

Oakley Concerts in the Park

As part of its summer series The School of Rock performs its mixture of pop, rock and classic rock. The free party that includes food trucks goes from 5– 9 p.m. at Civic Center Plaza at 3231 Main St. For details, visit https://www. facebook.com/events/1216204732334891

Tuesday, September 5

Fall Bocce ball League in Antioch

Eight weeks of bocce begins Sept. 5 when you can eat, drink and roll at Chichibu Park at 3116 Acorn Road in Antioch. The courts are well maintained and lighted for play Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings. Gates open at 6 and games start at 6:30 and run to 9:30. A maximum of 10 players per team, and the cost is $150 per team. For details, contact shortant66@sbcglobal.net.

Thursday, September 7

Storytime at the Streets at The Streets of Brentwood

From 10:30–11:30 a.m. on each Thursday through Sept. 28 at The Streets of Brentwood at the Playhouse near the children’s play area.. Admission is free. For details, visit shopstreetsofbrentwood. com/events/645-storytime-at-the-streets

On the Horizon

Saturday, September 9

Summer Jam Concert

The Discovery Bay Lions Club is hosting their annual free Summer Jam Concert Series at the Discovery Bay Community Center on 1601 Discovery Bay Blvd. The featured band is Gunpowder and Lace, and gates open at 5 p.m. Food, beer, wine and margaritas will be available for purchase. For more information, visit https://bit. ly/3DAfKmy

2nd Annual La Gran Fiesta!

The Brentwood Chamber of Commerce is hosting La Gran Fiesta! in downtown Brentwood from 1-6 p.m. The event that includes 10 food vendors serving international and local barbecue and more than 30 local artisans, will also feature performances from Grupo L and Grupo Maya. For more information, visit https://bit.ly/44VQTWk or call Melisa Hanson at (925) 634-3344.

Rivertown Peddlers Faire

From 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. at Willow Park Mercantile at G Street and 2nd Street in Antioch. At this familyfriendly event, more than 75 vendors will offer vintage goods, antiques, furniture, home decor, repurposed and upcycled items, home and garden, handmade items, arts and crafts, jewelry and gifts. Live music, food , beer and wine! Admission and parking are free. For details, visit http://www. rivertownpeddlersfaire.com

Saturday, Sept. 9- Sunday, Sept. 10

39th Pittsburg Seafood and Music Festival

The Pittsburg Seafood & Music Festival at John Buckley Square in Old Town Pittsburg provides a safe and enjoyable environment for the whole family with a wide variety of activities that include: arts and crafts on display, activities for the kids including face painting, magic shows, cooking demonstrations, three live entertainment stages, craft beer, a wine pavilion, Latin flare entertainment and more. Hours are 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit https://bit.ly/3YzGqO9.

Sunday, September 10

The 35th annual Community Bar-bque in Brentwood

From 2–4 p.m. at the East Contra Costa Historical Museum at 3890 Sellers Ave. in Brentwood/ Knightsen. Tickets are $35 for adults, $15 for kids 6-12, and kids younger than 6 are admitted free. To buy tickets, call 925-634-4049 or visit http:// eastcontracostahistoricalsociety.org.

Delta Harvest Run

The 12th annual Delta Harvest Run offers a half marathon, 10K, 5K and a 1-Mile Family Fun Run. The run begins and ends at City Park in downtown

Brentwood at the corner of Oak and Second streets. The half marathon starts at 7:30 a.m., 10K at 7:45, 5K at 8 a.m. and the 1-mile family fun run at 9 a.m. .Net proceeds go to the Delta Realtors Community Service Foundation. For more information about the run or to register as a runner or a volunteer, visit http://www.deltaharvestrun.com/, or call race director Patti Shaner at 925-584-1614.

Thursday, September 14

Evening on the Lawn for Education at Club Los Meganos Trilogy at the Vineyards

The festivities from 4:30 - 7:30 p.m. at 1700 Trilogy Parkway will include: carving station, appetizer and dessert stations, cash bar, live music, silent auction, raffle, and ring toss for wine to benefit the Los Medanos College Foundation. Tickets are $65. For details, call (925) 809-7180 or visit https:// www.mytrilogylife.com/vineyards/

Friday, September 15

Cache Creek Casino Bus Trip

The Oakley Senior Center at 215 Second St., is hosting a fundraising casino bus trip to Cache Creek Casino in Brooks. The cost is $42, and includes bingo, snacks, water and a 50/50 raffle. The bus will leave the Oakley Senior Center at 8 a.m. and return at 5 p.m. For more information on the trip, call 925-732-2304.

Saturday, Sept. 23

Second annual Brentwood Craft Brew Fest

The second annual Brentwood Craft Brew Fest is at City Park at 790 2nd St. from 1–5 p.m. Tickets are $50 in advance, $60 at the gate. More than 40 brews will be available to taste and five food trucks will be on hand with live music from Dawglips and the 925 band. The fundraiser is hosted by The Rotary Club of Brentwood. For ticket information, visit bit.ly/3sqfHrh.

Stroll for Gold Fun Run and Walk –Dillon’s Dream

The second annual 5K and 10K Stroll for Gold Fun Run and Walk is to raise awareness of childhood cancer. Starts at 9 a.m. at Contra Loma Regional Park in Antioch. Registration is $40. For details, visit http://dillonsdreams.simpletix.com.

1966 Liberty High School Class Reunion

The Class of 1966, although it’s not a milestone year (55+2), decided that its wants to reconnect every year. This reunion, an informal gathering at the Wild Idol at 3918 Main St. in Byron at 5 p.m., is open to ALL Liberty classes. There are no official invitations, and no money will be collected. For more information, email Libertybrentwood66@gmail.com.

Saturday, October 7

Volunteers from Contra Costa County are joining the thousands of people who are gathering in cities and towns across the United States to promote suicide prevention awareness and resources. The Oakley Out of the Darkness Community Walk, hosted by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) Greater San Francisco Bay Area Chapter will be held on at 8 a.m. at Civic Center Park in Oakley. This gathering will support AFSP’s education, research, and survivor support programs. In addition to raising awareness and funds to fight suicide. More information can be found at afsp.org/oakley.

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/.

her brothers, and she loves raising animals.

“My boys also love animals. They have learned a lot on how to care for animals,” said Sherwood.

Both Aiden and Von are also members of Future Farmers of America (FFA), an intra-curricular student organization at Liberty High School. FFA is typically open to students in high school and has a more specific focus on agriculture. Many FFA members begin their agricultural leadership journey in 4-H.

Erin Matthias said her daughter attends the Knightsen 4-H, has participated in sewing projects in the past few years and believes she has picked up more than just sewing skills.

Matthias said kids participating submit their projects for fashion review, where children showcase their creations at the county fair, and they undergo an interview process before a panel.

“They need to give a speech to explain what they created, how much it costs, and the skills they learned to create it, and they get interviewed by the panel.

“This is like what an adult goes through during a job interview. The kids get scored based on their verbal skills, their eye contact, and how they present the project.

“So, you can imagine, when it’s time for these kids to face an actual job interview in the future, they won’t be worried,” she said.

Angela Emmons, a club leader at Brentwood 4-H, said one of the big themes within 4-H is “find your spark” to build life, leader-

ship, communications, and public speaking skills through the various projects.

Emmons said some of the big changes she has seen personally are while assisting with leadership and public speaking projects.

“I have so many kids come out of their shells, the shy kids who want to hide in the corner, and once they are involved, they can stand up in front of people and share their thoughts about their projects.

“It’s quite amazing and that has been very impactful in my life to see that change in these kids,” she said.

Emmons said 4-H has been a game changer for her son Brodie, 15, who has grown from being a wallflower to a team leader.

“I have seen him grow in the 11 years that he’s been in` 4-H, from being someone shy to becoming an active, participating,

contributing member of the community,” she said.

CLUB CONTACT INFORMATION

Brentwood 4-H Club

Location: Knightsen Farm Center ~ Corner of Delta Rd. and Second St, Knightsen. Meeting: 2nd Tuesday at 7 p.m. (August -June). Contact: Angela at brentwood@contracosta4h.org

Knightsen 4-H Club

Location: Knightsen Elementary School, 1923 Delta Road, Brentwood. Meeting: 1st Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. Contact: knightsen@contracosta4h.org

Oakley 4-H Club

Location: Oakley Senior Center (215 2nd St., Oakley). Meeting: 2nd Wednesday at 7 p.m. (August-June). Contact: Thisbe at oakley@contracosta4h.org

Delta Ranches – a leader in local real estate

Delta Ranches and Homes opened in Brentwood 10 years ago. There is only one way to remain at the top in real estate, and that is to treat every customer with integrity and honesty.

Lori Abreu and the staff at Delta Ranches and Homes respect their business relationships, whether you are selling a single-family home, multi-family unit or a $10 million winery, you will always remain the priority as they guide you

through the listing and selling process.

How do we stay relevant in a changing real estate market when there are more agents than listings? By serving our repeat clients and all of their referrals, staying on top of the marketing edge for the most exposure of your listing, including recommendations on repairs and staging to get you the most money, having integrity that never waivers and always putting

our customers first.

Delta Ranches and Homes strives to educate clients and be true consultants to offer solutionbased services; listing specialists, buyers agents, first-time buyer’s programs and property management. Se habla Espanol.

Located in downtown Brentwood, you can reach Delta Ranches and Homes at 925-216-6317, 925-516-3240 or at www.deltaranches.com.

Antioch Press No. 06-1617

Publish Dates: August 18, 25, September 1, 8, 2023

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT File No. F-2023-0004119 The name of the business(es): ATI Traffic Control, LLC Located at: 144 Continente Ave Ste 280 In: Brentwood, CA 94513, is hereby registered by the following owner(s): ATI Traffic Control, 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: Marco Rodriguez, Managing Member. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Contra Costa County on: August 7, 2023 by Deputy Clerk Expires 08/06/2028 Brentwood Press No. 02-1273

Publish Dates: August 18, 25, September 1, 8, 2023

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT File No. F-2023-0004295 The name of the business(es): Alamo Lighting Located at: 3240 Monument Way Ste A In: Concord CA 94518, is hereby registered by the following owner(s): Alamo Lighting & Electric Corporation. This business is conducted by: A Corporation, State of Incorporation: CA. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on N/A. Signature of registrant: Kelly Houck, President. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Contra Costa County on: 08/16/2023 by Deputy Clerk Expires 08/15/2028 Brentwood Press No. 02-1273

Publish Dates: August 25, September 1, 8, 15, 2023

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT File No. F-2023-0004218 The name of the business(es): True Investments Located at: 1673 Harmony st In: Brentwood, CA 94513, is hereby registered by the following owner(s): Kevin. This business is conducted by: an Individual. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on Signature of registrant: Kevin Jerome Parker Jr, President. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Contra Costa County

a

under the

to

The name of the business(es): Custom Bunk Beds Located at: 2425 Willow Ave In: Antioch, CA 94509, is hereby registered by the following owner(s): 1. Nanette Rae Johnston 2. Ken Lewis Johnston. This business is conducted by: A Married Couple. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on 9/6/1994. Signature of registrant: Nanette Johnston, Party of Marriage. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Contra Costa County on: August 1, 2023 by Deputy Clerk Expires

fictitious business name or names listed above on . Signature of registrant: Carlos Adrian Hurtado, Owner. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Contra Costa County on: 07/28/2023 by Deputy Clerk Expires 07/27/2028 Oakley Press No. 03-0477

Publish Dates: August 11, 18, 25, September 1, 2023

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT

File No. F-2023-0003915 The name of the business(es): FAM Realty Group Located at: 2112 Bunker View Way In: Oceanside CA 92057, is hereby registered by the following owner(s): Frances Mouser. This business is conducted by: an Individual. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on 12/20/2017. Signature of registrant: Frances Mouser, Owner. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Contra Costa County on: 07/26/2023 by Deputy Clerk Expires 07/25/2028 Brentwood Press No. 02-1273

Publish Dates: August 18, 25, September 1, 8, 2023

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME

PETITIONER OR ATTORNEY: Ashley Neeson and Ryan Neeson SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF CONTRA COSTA, 725 Court Street Martinez, CA 94553 PETITION OF: Ashley Neeson and Ryan Neeson, Kaleb Michael Farias Neeson CASE NUMBER: N23-1397 TO ALL

INTERESTED PERSONS: 1. Petitioner Ashley Neeson and Ryan Neeson, Kaleb Michael Farias Neeson filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: Present Name: a. Kaleb Michael Farias Neeson to Proposed Name: a. Kaleb Michael Neeson. 2. THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter shall appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing. NOTICE OF HEARING a. Date: 10/02/2023 Time:

9:00 a.m. Dept.: 30 b. The address of the court is same as noted above. 3. a. A copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation, printed in this county: Brentwood Press

Date: July 27 2023 Judge of the Superior Court Brentwood Press Brentwood Press 02-1273

Publish Dates: August 18, 25, September 1, 8, 2023

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT

File No. F-2023-0004056 The name of the business(es): Shelton’s Evolution Located at: 4512 Waterford Way In: Oakley, CA 94561, is hereby registered by the following owner(s): Maria Chung. 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: Maria Chung, Individual. deputy clerk. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Contra Costa County on: 08/03/2023 by Deputy Clerk Expires 08/02/2028 Oakley

Press No. 03-0477

Publish Dates: September 1, 8, 15, 22, 2023

either a landowner or the legal representa tive of a landowner within Reclamation District 800’s boundaries. Official declarations of candidacy may be obtained from the District Office beginning on August 25, 2023 and filed with the District by 4:00 p.m. on September 15, 2023. Appointment to each office will be made in the event there are no nominees or an insufficient number of nominees for the office or if a petition for an election is not filed with the District by September 15, 2023. The election will be conducted by mailed ballot and all ballots must be returned to the District’s office no later than 4:00 p.m. on November 8, 2023. The election will be conducted in accordance with Division 15 of the California Water Code and applicable provisions of the California Elections Code. Individuals who have recently purchased property in the District are eligible to vote and should call the District Secretary immediately at (925) 634-2351 to obtain a ballot. A copy of the procedures to be used for this election is available for public inspection at the District Office located at the above address.

Ashley Fritze

District Secretary Reclamation District No. 800

Publish Dates: August 25, September 1, 2023

NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF: OFELIA CONTRERAS, deceased CASE NUMBER P23-01446 To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both, of: OFELIA CONTRERAS, deceased. A Petition for Probate has been filed by: ROBERT CONTRERAS in the Superior Court of California, County of: CONTRA COSTA

The Petition for Probate requests that: ROBERT CONTRERAS be appointed as personal representative 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 good cause why the court should not grant the authority. A hearing on the petition will be held in this court as follows: a. Date: DECEMBER 21 2023

Oakley, CA 94561, is hereby registered by the following owner(s): Carlos Adrian Hurtado. This business is conducted by: an Individual. The registrant commenced to transact business under the

NOTICE OF ELECTION AND CALL FOR NOMINATING PETITIONS FOR TRUSTEE OF RECLAMATION DISTRICT NO. 800 NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a general election will be held for the Reclamation District No. 800 board of trustees, at the District’s office, located at 1540 Discovery Bay Blvd. Ste A, Discovery Bay, on November 8, 2023 for the purposes of electing 3 trustees. Candidates may file for the office of trustee, provided that each candidate is

Time: 9:00AM Dept: 30. b. Address of court: 725 COURT ST., MARTINEZ, CA 94553 If you object to the granting of the petition, you should appear at the hearing and state your objections or file written objections with the court before the hearing. Your appearance may be in person or by your attorney. If you are a creditor or a contingent creditor of the decedent, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within the later of either (1) four months from the date of first issuance of letters a general personal representative as defined in section 58(b) of the California Probate Code, or (2) 60 days from the date of mailing or personal delivery to you of a notice under section 9052 of the California Probate Code. Other California statutes and legal authority may affect your rights as a creditor. You may want to consult with an attorney knowledgeable in California law. You may examine the file kept by the court. If you are

b. As e-mails containing public meeting comments are part of the official record, note that personal contact information may be published if it is included with your e-mail.

4.TO WATCH OR LISTEN ONLY:

a.The public may view the meeting via one-way video feed by selecting the video option at the City Council Agendas’ link on the City webpage at www. brentwoodca.gov or via the City’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube. com/c/cityofbrentwoodca Dated: September 1, 2023, September 8, 2023

/s/ Margaret Wimberly, CMC City Clerk Brentwood Press No. 02-1273 91131

Publish Dates: September 1, 8, 2023.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC LIEN SALE

BUSINESS & PROFESSIONS CODE 21700

Notice is hereby given that the undersigned intends to sell the personal property described below to enforce a lien imposed on said property pursuant to the California Self-Storage Facility Act (Business and Professions Code 21700- 21718). The undersigned reserves the right to refuse any and all bids. All rights to damages by reason of a deficiency on this resale and incidental damages, and any and all other appropriate remedies are hereby reserved.

The undersigned will sell at public sale by competitive bidding on or after SEPTEMBER 13, 2023@ 10:45am Located at: Discovery Bay Self Storage

2400 Newport Dr. Discovery Bay, CA 94505, the abandonment of personal property belonging to: (G. Thurston, M. Gutleben, A. Sloan, L. Price, T. Arechiga, J. Moore, E. Stenehjem, T. Hirneisen, R. Davis, C. Johns)

General Description of Goods include but are not limited to: wood, household furniture, household appliances, pot & pans, office chairs, Glass, mattress & box spring, frame, rugs, boxes, power tools, tool box, tools, portable heater, speakers, generator, clothing, gas tanks, fans, ramps, gun cases, shoes, camp stove, backpack, hand truck, tiles, storage cabinets, electrical equipment, water skis, mirrors, flat screen, artwork, tents, fishing rods, lighting, pop up cano-

pies, Christmas decorations, golf clubs, bikes, toys

Property to be sold as is to the highest bidder in the form of cash only. Auction conducted by NOR CAL STORAGE AUCTIONS, INC. CA Bond #7900468597

More information and pictures of inventory www.norcalstorageauctions.com

(916) 604-9695

Publish (September 1, 2023 & September 8, 2023)

Brentwood Press No. 02-1273 91133

Publish Dates: September 1, 8, 2023.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE OF PERSONAL PROPERTY

Notice is hereby given pursuant to California Business and Professional Codes#21700-21716, Section 2328 of the UCC of the Penal Code, Section 535. The auction will be held online on www. StorageTreasures.com. The undersigned will sell by online sale by competitive bidding the personal property of:

Bernice Haliburton

Marguerette Vampelt

Arishma Yunus

Property to be sold including but not limited to: household items, furniture, appliances, clothes, toys, tools, boxes & contents. Auctioneer Company: www. storagetreasures.com The sale ends at 11:00 am 09/13/2023. Goods must be paid for by cash, credit card/debit & removed at completion of sale. Sale is subject to cancellation in the event of settlement between owner & obligated party. Run Dates 09/1/2023 and 09/08/2023. Brentwood Self Storage 190 Sand Creek Road, Brentwood CA 94513 #925-240-7353 Brentwood Press No. 02-1273 91118 Publish Dates: September 1, 8, 2023.

ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME

PETITIONER OR ATTORNEY: Nihjia

Garrett-Boutte SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF CONTRA COSTA, 725 Court Street Martinez, CA 94553 PETITION OF: Nihjia GarrettBoutte CASE NUMBER: N23-1444 TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: 1. Petitioner Nihjia Garrett-Boutte filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as

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

Date: 10/11/2023 Time: 9:00 a.m.

Dept.: 30 b. The address of the court is same as noted above. 3. a. A copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation, printed in this county: Brentwood Press b. Father must be personally served 30 days before the hearing.

Date: August 2, 2023 Judge of the Superior Court Brentwood Press No. 02-1273 91062 Publish Dates: August 18, 25, September 1, 8, 2023.

NOTICE OF LIEN SALE

Live Oak Storage,1315 Main Street Oakley, CA 94561, has possessory lien on all of the goods stored in the prospective units below. #982 Diane Salomon, #1023 Robin Nickerson, #2052 Kathy Healer, #9027 Leopoldo Fernandez, #927 Malinda Lowry, #812 Heidi Werner, #900 & #913 Cassie Cavanaugh, and #3017 Nefiteria Richmond. The goods are described as furniture, tools and miscellaneous personal property items being sold pursuant to the assertion of the lien on September 7th, 2023 at 10:30am

In order to collect the amounts due from you. The sale will take place at 1315 Main Street, Oakley, CA 94561 County of Contra Costa state of California. This lien sale is pursuant to Chapter 10 Section 21700-21716 of the California Self Service Storage Facility

Act. Auction is to be held by Jason Whitt ms#199016. Owner reserves the right to bid at the sale. Purchase must be in cash only paid at the time of the sale. Sale is subject to prior cancellation, in the event of settlement between owner and obligated party. Oakley Press No. 03-0477 91095 Publish Dates: August 25, September 1, 2023.

NOTICE OF LIEN SALE

Notice is hereby given that pursuant to California Self Storage Facility Act of theBusiness and Professions Code 21700 ET seq., the undersigned, Oakley Self Storage, will sell by competitive bidding in an online auction on www. storagetreasures.com the personal property of:

Sheldon Sherman

Fabio Mahoney

Nannette Rose

Charlene Tidwell

Erik Castro

Latawana Johnson

Nicholas Peterson

Rachel Macchia

Sherquana Clement

Property to be sold: boxes, furniture, tools, household goods, and other misc. items Sale will end on Wednesday, September 13, 2023 at 9:30 A.M. Goods must be paid in cash and removed at completion of sale. Sale is subject to cancellation in the event of settlement between owner and obligated party. Oakley Self Storage 4700 Main St, Oakley, CA 94561 (925) 6257867. Oakley Press No. 03-0477 91094 Publish Dates: August 25, September 1, 2023.

NOTICE OF LIEN SALE

The following persons are in lien at Oakley Gateway Self Storage, 2101 Laurel Rd., Oakley, CA 94561:

Efrain Flores

Brigitte Nichols

Larry Kerr

Angela Mora

Nerissa Salve

The items to be sold include: Misc. Furniture, Clothes, Toys, Electronics, Household Items. All bids must be placed prior to Auction posted end time The date of the sale will be 9/06/23 @

12:00 pm. The location of the sale will be: Online at www.storagetreasures. com Oakley Press No. 03-0477 91101

Publish Dates: August 25, September 1, 2023. NOTICE OF TRUSTEE’S SALE T.S. No. 112468-CA APN: 032-201019-0 NOTICE OF TRUSTEE’S SALE IMPORTANT NOTICE TO PROPERTY OWNER: YOU ARE IN DEFAULT UNDER A DEED OF TRUST, DATED 1/17/2007. UNLESS YOU TAKE ACTION TO PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY, IT MAY BE SOLD AT A PUBLIC SALE.

IF YOU NEED AN EXPLANATION OF THE NATURE OF THE PROCEEDING AGAINST YOU, YOU SHOULD CONTACT A LAWYER

On 10/10/2023 at 9:00 AM, CLEAR RECON CORP, as duly appointed trustee under and pursuant to Deed of Trust recorded 1/30/2007 as Instrument No. 2007-0029249-00 of Official Records in the office of the County Recorder of Contra Costa County, State of CALIFORNIA executed by: LARRY SWIFT AN UNMARRIED MAN WILL SELL AT PUBLIC AUCTION TO HIGHEST BIDDER FOR CASH, CASHIER’S CHECK DRAWN ON A STATE OR NATIONAL BANK, A CHECK DRAWN BY A STATE OR FEDERAL CREDIT UNION, OR A CHECK DRAWN BY A STATE OR FEDERAL SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATION, SAVINGS ASSOCIATION, OR SAVINGS BANK SPECIFIED IN SECTION 5102 OF THE FINANCIAL CODE AND AUTHORIZED TO DO BUSINESS IN THIS STATE; At the Auction. com Room, Pleasant Hill Community Center, 320 Civic Drive, Pleasant Hill, CA 94523 all right, title and interest conveyed to and now held by it under said Deed of Trust in the property situated in said County and State described as: MORE FULLY DESCRIBED ON SAID DEED OF TRUST The street address and other common designation, if any, of the real property described above is purported to be: 4944 SANDMOUND BLVD, OAKLEY, CA 94561 The undersigned Trustee disclaims any liability for any incorrectness of the street address and other common designation, if any, shown herein. Said sale will be held, but without covenant or warranty, express or implied, regarding title, possession, condition, or encumbrances, including fees, charges and expenses of the Trustee and of the

trusts created by said Deed of Trust, to pay the remaining principal sums of the note(s) secured by said Deed of Trust. The total amount of the unpaid balance of the obligation secured by the property to be sold and reasonable estimated costs, expenses and advances at the time of the initial publication of the Notice of Sale is: $388,834.50 If the Trustee is unable to convey title for any reason, the successful bidder’s sole and exclusive remedy shall be the return of monies paid to the Trustee, and the successful bidder shall have no further recourse. The beneficiary under said Deed of Trust heretofore executed and delivered to the undersigned a written Declaration of Default and Demand for Sale, and a written Notice of Default and Election to Sell. The undersigned or its predecessor caused said Notice of Default and Election to Sell to be recorded in the county where the real property is located. 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 or visit this Internet Web site WWW.AUCTION.COM, using the file number assigned to this case 112468CA. 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 Web site. The best way to verify postponement information is to attend the scheduled sale. NOTICE TO TENANT:

Effective January 1, 2021, 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 (855) 313-3319, or visit this internet website www.clearreconcorp. com, using the file number assigned to this case 112468-CA 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. FOR SALES INFORMATION: (800) 280-2832 CLEAR RECON CORP 8880 Rio San Diego Drive, Suite 725 San Diego, California 92108. Oakley Press No. 06-1617 91090 Publish Dates: September 1, 8, 15, 2023.

Contract from page 1

to get. Single and married members of the LEA who both work in the district now get full coverage from Kaiser, while those who are members whose partners don’t work in the district get 90 percent. Those who don’t have Kaiser will receive whatever the amount is toward that plan.

“We had been going around for a while with the two married members who work in the district,” Pedrotti explained. “We were like ‘Why are they both not covered yet?’”

School from page 1

One of the biggest parts of the new deal was changing the minutes of the day to implement professional development days; they will now be on every Wednesday, giving it more structure instead of having it on random Wednesdays that it was on previously, Pedrotti said.

Retiree health care coverage will also increase by $50 per month and the benefits will cover retirees until age 65. Those who spent 10 years in the district will get a stipend of $225 a month, those with 20 years in the

• students bringing “airline-sized” bottles of liquor to school

• students using drugs, alcohol, and tobacco in the bathrooms multiple times throughout the school day

• students being visibly under the influence of drugs in the classroom.

However, no action can be taken because it can’t be proven, he said. Meanwhile, over the course of a single week, school custodians found five vape pens in the bathrooms. Nabori said witnessing the deterioration in the climate and learning environment of the school “beyond disheartening.”

In an interview last Friday, Byron United School District Superintendent Crystal Castaneda offered her own insight on some of the challenges Excelsior faced during the 2022-2023 school year, including not having a full-time school counselor, a “universal struggle” with parent support, and overall, the post-COVID return to the classroom.

A second teacher continued read ing the prepared statement at the June 8th board meeting.

“Students who threaten, intimidate, and bully have become emboldened and now control much of the culture at Excelsior schoolyard,” said eighth grade English teacher Becky Hund. She described how students are cutting in line, throwing trash, cursing at adults, and making derogatory comments, the bathrooms are “vandalized and desecrated on a regular basis.” According to the teachers, the behavior flourishes because students know that they will get away with it, with no worse consequence than being sent to the office for “counseling and a talking to.”

“Racist language has become commonplace and is used to intimidate our students of color,” Hund added. “The same for homophobic and transphobic language. Many of our LGBT students and their allies report feeling increasingly unsafe on campus.”

Hund said teachers have had things stolen from them, knives have been found on campus, bomb threats have been made, and teachers have witnessed an uptick in implied threats of gun violence. Teachers have also said that they’ve faced stalking and threatening behavior, including an increase in harassment of female teachers by male students, leading to them reporting that they feel unsafe.

Castaneda estimated that it was 3 to 5 percent of the school’s approximately 400 students who were displaying the behavioral issues highlighted during the school board meeting. Some of those students were 8th graders at the time, and have subsequently moved on to high school.

“We’ve been handling the behaviors as they’ve been happening at Excelsior,” Castaneda said. “Like every district in America, middle school right now, and schools in general, are seeing an uptick in all behaviors post-COVID…There were some targeted kids that we were aware of and working with their families on those behaviors.”

Byron Union School District is not the only district in East County dealing with challenging student behaviors. According to an unnamed parent from O’Hara Park Middle School in Oakley Union School District, a teacher at that school was falsely accused of assault by a student and placed on administrative leave during the 2021-22 school year. The incident was later resolved.

district get $245 a month and those with 30 years in the district get $260 a month toward their health care coverage.

“The union is very pleased with how we were able to make progress and work toward settlements that satisfied both sides,” Pedrotti said.

Last Wednesday, numerous teachers from the district went to the school board meeting at the district office to make their voices heard.

One teacher, Carlos Hurtado from Her-

Brentwood Union School District has also experienced inappropriate student behavior. In late May, an Edna Hill Middle School student reportedly “hijacked” projectors in three different classrooms, and set them to display racist images. This incident would prompt the district to employ stricter security measures with their school technology, but parents at Edna Hill claimed that this was not the first time an incident like this had taken place.

At Excelsior, consequences for behaving badly, such as after-school detentions, have become “arbitrary and negotiable” If a detention goes unserved, there is no further consequence, according to Louise Colbert, Excelsior’s yearbook and technology teacher. She says this has led to more and more detentions being skipped altogether.

“Teacher morale at Excelsior is abysmal at this point,” Colbert said during the June 8 meeting.

“We are leading our children to be failures as adults if we do not teach them respect for authority, accountability, and that poor behavior will lead them to consequences,” said Karri Reiser, parent of a seventh-grade student.

“As soon as we were hearing about something, we were meeting about it,” Castaneda said. “We were problemsolving solutions. We changed some students’ schedules around, since some students worked better with others in the classes they were in. We did some schedule changes. We met with parents.”

Prior to the start of the current school year, meetings were held with the families of students who had displayed “challenging” behavior in the past. For some, these meetings were an outline of the varied resources the schools had available, including access to free or low-cost mental health care. For others, the meetings included a “behavior contract” to present a behavioral roadmap and set expectations for the year to come.

“Without the parents on our team, it makes it really difficult,” Castaneda said. “We want that consistency and that same messaging throughout their home and throughout the school. We’re really working hard to continue to build that team mentality.”

Amendments to the California Education Code in recent years, such as the adoption of Senate Bill 419 in 2020, have attempted to bring more restorative measures to student discipline. SB 419 prohibits school suspensions as a result of “willful defiance” or “defiance disruption,” a catchall category undefined in the California Education Code. Behaviors such as violating the dress code, talking back to a teacher or administrator, or falling asleep in class are often labeled as actions that are defiant or disruptive, according to the Youth Leadership Institute website. Currently, the defiance/disruption suspension ban for grades 6 through 8 expires on July 1, 2025 unless it’s extended by the Legislature.

This doesn’t mean that there are no consequences for poor behavior. BUSD has adopted the Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) framework, which is designed to align academic, behavioral, and social-emotional learning in a fully integrated system of support for the benefit of all students, essentially taking the student’s background into account and not just targeting their misguided actions. MTSS offers the potential to create systemic change through intentional integration of services and supports to quickly identify and meet the needs of all students, according to the California Depart-

itage, told the board about how he had to donate $5,000 of his own money to support Heritage’s JV soccer programs.

“Last season was miserable,” he explained after the meeting. “We were in 35-degree weather with no sweat pants or jackets. That’s unacceptable, in my opinion, given we have a district who has a lot of money willing to give, is able to give, not willing to give.”

“We’re with these students every day, sometimes more than their parents. We have a huge impact on their lives every day.”

ment of Education website.

“We have a lot of students with very unique situations, and having them held accountable may not look the same for everyone, Castaneda said. “It doesn’t mean that they’re not held accountable.”

“We are continuing to model what’s true and hold those expectations and hold consistent routines,” said Castaneda. “And, we started implementing all of that last year. This year, we added even more supports and these were things that were already being planned for.”

The district hired a new principal for the 2022-’23 school year to replace the several principals who had rotated through the position during the previous school year. The inconsistency resulted in a lack of necessary structures and procedures in student discipline and support, according to Castaneda. And even though those policies needed to be implemented as soon as possible, Castaneda said meeting with the teachers and parents and creating the necessary systems takes time, but was all part of “working towards a better tomorrow.”

The tenets of Be Safe, Be Respectful, and Be Responsible are outlined in the discipline matrix on Page 1 of the student handbook. As part of the MTSS framework, a Positive Behavior Intervention Support team was implemented with teachers to focus on better behavior and positive behavior supports. A 5-star online system was also set up to track and reward positive behaviors among students.

Throughout last school year and continuing into this year, the district has been able to add personnel at the middle school, including:

• a full-time, five-days-a-week school counselor,

• an MTSS special assignment teacher,

• an additional campus supervisor with increased hours.

A new, full-time assistant principal was also hired for the start of the current school year. The new role will offer more support to students that need some extra adult connection. Additionally, it will allow for more focus on social-emotional learning and building student relationships, according to Castaneda. The other additional staff will help in having more eyes on students, and general increased campus supervision, including bathroom sweeps, to make sure that students are where they belong and “cut down on the layers of things happening in-between classes.”

The first week of school consisted of learning time in each classroom, with a powerpoint presentation dedicated to reviewing the previously mentioned discipline matrix, presenting different potential scenarios that might arise between peers, and having the students talk through the expectations in each scenario. Castaneda called it an “awesome start to the year, with our professional development and building our common routines.”

“The best thing you can do as a teacher is really own your space and have those consistent boundaries in your class, and build those relationships with your students, which our teachers do a really great job of,” said Castaneda.

Castaneda also said that she’s excited to be building a new positive way forward. The teachers have started the year with a “can-do positive spirit” and “a renewed sense of let’s go and let’s get this done together,” according to Castaneda.

“There’s a lot of teachers that have been here for a long time, and they care deeply,” Castaneda said. “This is their community. And they know a lot of these families outside of school. We’re really fortunate to have that level of longevity and deeply-rooted, committed and dedicated teachers in our district. That’s pretty unique.”

Dinner with old friends – for the last time

Monday, Aug. 21 marked a 22-year friendship with local business owners of Sweeney’s Bar & Grill, Peter and Veronica Charitou. They hosted a retirement celebration for family, friends and over a decade of faithful customers in genuine “Peter” style.

The back patio was filled with love, friendship and admiration for this amazing family that weathered every storm and welcomed this community with open arms to a place most of us called “home”. No matter whether you were celebrating a special occasion, out for a date night or just coming in for a fabulous meal, Sweeney’s was the place to be. Great food, great service, great conversation and guaranteed to be another memory with fellow customers and friends.

The emotions were high as we all made our way to congratulate them on their retirement, sharing our best memories and gratitude for their friendship and courtesies to all who walked through the door. Several past employees came to share a fond farewell to not just their employer, but their lifelong friend. Many of us held on to every moment, knowing this was our last Sweeney’s visit.

When the DJ Dino called speakers to the microphone to say a few words, it was then we realized that this bittersweet celebration was truly our final goodbye. Longtime friend and faithful customer Julie James read a touching letter from her husband Mark who was unable to attend, saying “To Peter and Veronica and your amazing staff . . . you’ve filled our bellies, you’ve filled our glasses, but most importantly, you’ve forever filled our hearts.”

Then, Peter and Veronica’s son Mathew, who went from server to manager when his mom developed a life-threatening illness that took his parents away on a two-year journey toward recovery, began to speak. For those of us who have supported this local business for 22 years, especially under Mathew’s reign, this was when the tears started falling. “Imagine that you get a call, and they tell you Barry

Bonds got hurt and you need to take his place,” Mathew said as he explained his journey to hold the family business together during this hardship. The guests applauded his efforts with loud whistles and cheers.

Then Demitri, their youngest and the one we all saw greeting customers at age 3 with his dark curly hair, said “My parents are rock stars, and we couldn’t be happier for them to retire.”

The Swisher Family came out in force to celebrate with the Charitous and talked about the many visits they made for every occasion, most lasting until closing time with their amazing friends. “We have been blessed to have had four generations walk through those doors. The Charitous and their team always treated us no less than family. We are happy for their next adventure but can’t keep from mourning a truly special and integral part of downtown Brentwood,” said Dafne Swisher. Alex and Vera Borbon, who never missed their weekly visit at their favorite table in the back of the restaurant said, “Sweeney’s was home, and they will always be our family.”

Peter’s words after speeches included his love for his family, friends, community and the restaurant he dearly loved. Pe-

ter loves to cook, but more importantly to bring his masterpieces to all to enjoy. Your table was often visited by Peter during a busy night, just for a quick ‘hello’ and to say ‘thank you for coming in’ and often to ask about your family and to send a cordial ‘hello’ to them. This type of customer service is not taught, it is lived.

I think I speak on behalf of all of Sweeney’s “regulars” when I say we will

cherish the memories, hold dear our friendships and always remember the legacy they left on this small town with their kindness, generosity and the “best damn steaks you could ever eat.”

God Bless and thank you all for the memories!

– By Peggy Schuitemaker

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

The Charitou family and long-time friends celebrate the retirement of Peter and Veronica Charitou after 22 years of serving Brentwood.

Photo by Press Staff

Photo by Sharleen Milland

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