‘This is supposed to be a good thing for Brentwood’
By Jake Menez Staff Writer
The city of Brentwood is continuing to define its standards around mobile vendors, such as food trucks, after the Planning Commission voted 5-0 during their Sept. 3 meeting to recommend the City Council make it easier for mobile vendors to do business. The Council is expected to discuss the item on Sept. 10.
“This is supposed to be a good thing for Brentwood,” Chairperson Anita Roberts said during the commission’s discussion.
The proposed ordinance would divide mobile vendors into two main categories: long-term, and short-term vendors that move more frequently. Ac-
Five are arrested in Brentwood, Oakley police joint retail theft sting
Five people, including one juvenile, were arrested last week when Brentwood police detectives and officers, in collaboration with loss prevention teams and Oakley police, conducted an organized retail theft operation last week in Brentwood.
Detectives, dressed in plain clothes, worked with local stores such as Kohl’s, Ulta, Home Depot and Marshalls to catch individuals who stole or attempted to steal merchandise.
see Arrested page 18A
Planning Commissioner Chairperson Anita Roberts said potential changes to city ordinances around mobile vendors, such as food trucks could be beneficial.
cording to the agenda packet for the meeting, city staff recognizes that these two types of vendors operate differently and that they should be treated different-
Oakley
ly from a licensing perspective. Staff also noted that the city’s standards on mobile vending have not been updated in “a long time.”
“The part that is before you is to allow businesses who don’t meet every single standard within [the existing] ordinance to have a secondary option,” Senior Planner Jennifer Hagen told the Planning Commission. “They can apply for a temporary use permit in which we would set an additional set of standards and regulations for those businesses who want to be in this location longer than we are going to establish in the proposed permanent ordinance. So it’s an additional outlet to allow additional opportunities above and beyond.”
Hagen went on to clarify that the usage of temporary use permits would al-
see Vendors page 18A
Planning Commission approves expansion of bingo hall
By Connor Robles Correspondent
The Oakley Planning Commission approved an amendment to the conditional use permit of the Daub 4 Kids bingo hall, which will allow the hall to expand into a neighboring vacant commercial space and add 1,500 square feet to its land use.
Daub 4 Kids is a nonprofit bingo hall that, according to its website, has raised over $500,000 to support local youth sports teams and school programs
since its opening in 2016. Teams that have benefited from fundraisers held at Daub 4 Kids include the Liberty Lions, Delta Patriots, and Brentwood Blast. The establishment is located at the Cypress Square shopping center on the corner of Carol Lane and Main Street. According to a presentation by Associate Planner Evan Gorman, it occupies two commercial tenant spaces totaling 4,500 square feet. At first, the hall was permitted to operate four times per
see Bingo page 18A
the Patriots Jet Team Foundation logos
Here’s how to win: Find the Patriots Jet Team Foundation logos in this weeks newspaper. Let us know what pages you found all the logos within The Press newspaper by Monday Sept. 9. The winner will be announced on Wednesday, Sept. 11. Submit your answer at https://bit.ly/4dpozzT.
Press file photo
Brentwood police patrol at The Streets of Brentwood.
Photo courtesy of City of Brentwood
Residents concerned over planned wetlands restoration project
By Sean Tongson Correspondent
A wetlands restoration project in the Delta has provoked the ire amongst residents about its potential intrusion in the existing community and ecosystem.
The Knightsen Wetlands Restoration Project, approved to begin construction next year, has raised concerns from residents close to the planned project that include what they say are no local public benefit, no flood control enhancement, and no public access. Residents have also expressed concerns about a lack of an environmental impact review, which residents say could identify potential public safety and health issues.
Currently, the Knightsen Wetlands Restoration Project, aimed at restoring a 645-acre property with its primary focus on protecting habitats and enhancing the environmental quality in Delta, is a fundraising phase, with about $10 million secured for Phase 1 of the project. Construction is planned to start in mid-2025 or in 2026 at the latest.
“This project is being crammed down the throat by the East Contra Costa Habitat Conservancy (ECCHC), the East Bay Regional Parks District,
and East Contra Costa County into a community that does not want it or need it,” said local vintner and farmer Tom Bloomfield. “This project takes 13 percent of Knightsen’s total land, and I would speculate it takes 50 percent
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ect when she received a letter from the conservancy in 2016, and immediately started asking questions.
“Let’s put this proposed wetlands in simple terms; you breach a levee and bring Delta water close to homes that depend on their private septic systems and wells,” Bello-Kunkel said. “You introduce a risk that you didn’t have to do in the first place. That’s it in a nutshell.”
Bello-Kunkel also said that residents remain concerned about how the proposed Knightsen wetlands project could harm nearby residents and farmers, including West Nile virus concerns from mosquitos, the potential impacts on neighboring properties with septic systems, shallow wells, who will responsible for the maintenance of the infrastructure once it is built, along with having to opt in for an incidental take permit as a third-generation farmer.
of its available land, and takes away Knightsen’s future.”
Fellow Knightsen resident Trish Bello-Kunkel, who lives within a onemile radius of the proposed project site, says she became aware of the proj -
According to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, an incidental ‘take permit’ is commonly issued for construction, utility, transportation, and other infrastructure-related projects, allowing a permittee to take California Endangered Species Act listed species, while implementing species-
Residents remain concerned about how the proposed Knightsen wetlands project could harm nearby property owners and farmers.
Photo by Andrew Rulloda
specific minimization and avoidance measures.
“I’m not a developer. I shouldn’t have to get a permit to continue to farm on my property,” Bello-Kunkel said. “’Take permits’ are something that developers are required to obtain to do development, not someone who wants to continue the tradition of farming out here in East County.”
According to Bello-Kunkel, she and other residents were assured that there would be public input during the environmental review process for the project, which included numerous community meetings and timelines published in 2021 that there would be
an environmental review, but then took steps to obtain an California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) exemption instead, meaning that an environmental impact review is no longer required due to it exclusively being a habitat restoration project.
“Given those concerns, community members were eager to have input before the initiation of CEQA process,” Bello-Kunkel said. “They held a public meeting with us in March 2023. Not once in that meeting did they inform us that they had started the process for a CEQA exemption. They received funding for the project stating it would provide multiple benefits including recreation -- boating, horse and walking trails, then later stating it would provide none of those. They have not followed through with the obligations they made to this community to address our concerns.”
According to Contra Costa Habitat Conservation Plan Executive Director Abigail Fateman, the project is statutorily exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) due to it being a restoration project designed to protect and restore the environment.
Fateman also stated that there has been extensive environmental review for this project, with studies on species, existing habitats, surface hydrology, groundwater, and soils. Fateman maintained however, that the project team is well aware of the concerns from residents after having listened to questions
from the community, with project elements adjusted based on study results and information from the community, and comments from project neighbors.
“Input from the community has been valuable and has helped shape the project,” Fateman said. “The exemption has not changed the environmental studies or public outreach that has been undertaken for the project. There have been five public outreach meetings, and a final open house visit to the property is planned for later this year. There have been additional presentations about the project at other public meetings in the last few years.”
Fateman added that responses to residents’ concerns have been provided
verbally at meetings as well as in written documentation.
“Recognizing that reading technical reports is not reassuring to everyone, the project team developed a Project Summary Report that provides an overview of the project, as well as responses to specific questions from the community,” Fateman said. “This report is available on the project website, and an update version will be made available later this year.”
A project summary report can be found at the following link at https:// www.contracosta.ca.gov/DocumentCenter/View/83586/Knightsen-Wetland-Restoration-Project-Summary--July-2024-PDF?bidId=.
REGIONAL & LOCAL
News iN Brief
Mount Diablo Interpretive Association receives $2.6 million grant for education center
The Mount Diablo Interpretive Association (MDIA) has announced that they were awarded a grant of $2.6 million to help build a new education center in Mount Diablo State Park.
The grant from the California Wildlife Conservation Board is intended to help build the Mitchell Canyon Education Center in Mount Diablo State Park, according to a press release.
The MDIA said in the release that the grant “provides critical funding that moves the project forward toward construction phases,” and that the new education facility “replaces an aging trailer that is not ADA-compliant” and that it “will be fully accessible to accommodate school groups on the mountain, expand the natural and cultural history content, and enhance the visitor experience overall.”
Steve Smith, president of the Mount Diablo Interpretive Association, said in the press release that his group is ‘thrilled’ and immensely grateful” to the Wildlife Conservation Board for this grant and to all the donors and community organizations who believed in the value of this project and generously provided the initial funding for it.
Construction on the new facility is scheduled to begin as early as fall 2025.
County elections are more secure than ever, officials say
Security is layered into every aspect of Contra Costa County’s elections and local officials take 48 steps to protect our vote.
The Contra Costa County Elections Division guarantees election security by securing technology, processes, facilities, and people, county officials said in a press release.
“Elections are more secure than ever and we’re proud of Contra Costa’s reputation for fair and secure elections,” says Kristin B. Connelly, Contra Costa Registrar of Voters. “We want to show voters everything we do to protect their vote.”
Learn more at Secure-Election.org.
School’s in: County urges drivers to watch for students
With a new school year, children may not be fully aware of their surroundings as they walk, bicycle, or bus to school. In some cases, students may be going to new schools and be less familiar with the traffic patterns.
That is why the Contra Costa County Public Works Department is asking parents and other drivers to leave early, stay alert, and be extra cautious in school zones, the county said in a press release. The first few weeks of school can be extra stressful as everyone gets back into their school-time routines. Be respectful of others and the rules of the road during this critical time.
The Public Works Department recognizes that the goal of zero traffic deaths is attainable, which is part of Vision Zero. To learn more about Vision Zero and find out about how the county is working to improve safety, visit www.contracosta.ca.gov/ visionzero. For more information about back-to-school safety, visit www.nhtsa.gov/ school-bus-safety/keeping-children-safe
Antioch Senior Resource Festival on Friday,
Sept. 13
The city of Antioch is hosting a Country Resource Fair at 415 W. 2nd St. where resources for seniors will be available from 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m..
The city also urges attendees to wear their favorite Country-Western attire.
For details, visit https://www.antiochca.gov/recreation/senior-center/.
To submit a news item for this page, send it to editor@brentwoodpress.com
Free county electrification fair on Saturday Sept. 14
The county is hosting a free electrification fair on Sept. 14 from noon-4 p.m. at the CaliCraft Brewing Comp. at 2700 Mitchell Drive in Walnut Creek where attendees can learn how to switch from gas power to electric because it is healthier for both indoor and outdoor air quality. It also saves energy costs, according to a county press release. Reserve your free tickets at https://www. eventbrite.com/e/contra-costa-county-electrification-fair-2024-tickets-928300229977.
Oakley Youth Advisory Council creekside clean-up Saturday Sept. 7
The Oakley Youth Advisory Council announced a community creek clean-up event at Creekside Park on Sept. 7. The council invites all residents to help clean up the from 9-11 a.m. to remove trash and debris from the creek and park at Creekside Park, the city said in a news release.
This event will be in partnership with the Friends of Marsh Creek Watershed and the Contra Costa County Conservation District. Gloves, trash bags, and refreshments will be provided. Your participation will not only enhance our park’s scenery but also foster a sense of community pride and environmental stewardship. Register using this link – https://secure.rec1.com/CA/oakley-ca/ catalog and navigate to the Events tab.
California Coastal Cleanup Days this month on Saturday Sept. 7, 21
To celebrate the 40th anniversary of California Coastal Cleanup Day, two volunteer clean-up days locally are planned.
The first is Saturday, Sept. 7 from 9-11 a.m. at Marsh Creek in Oakley Creekside Park (3900 Creekside Way, Oakley. Register at this link – https://secure.rec1.com/ CA/oakley-ca/catalog – under “Events” and “OYAC Community Creek Clean Up.”
Another one on Sept. 7 from 9-11 a.m. at Marsh Creek at Brentwood Creekside Park (1010 Claremont Dr, Brentwood. Register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/california-coastal-cleanupday-at-creekside-park-brentwood-tickets-
995761558627?aff=oddtdtcreator.
The second is at Upper Sand Creek Basin on Saturday, Sept. 21 from 9 a.m. to noon. Sand Creek is a tributary of Marsh Creek, which means it feeds into Marsh Creek and any trash in Sand Creek has potential to end up in Marsh Creek.
Meet at Gravel Road south of the Kaiser-Permanente Medical Center.
Newsom convenes special legislative session to try to prevent gas price spikes
Gov. Newsom called a special session to provide legislative partners more time to act on legislation to help prevent gas price spikes and save Californians hundreds of millions of dollars at the pump annually.
Price spikes on consumers are profit spikes for oil companies, and they’re overwhelmingly caused by refiners not backfilling supplies when they go down for maintenance, the governor’s office said in a press release. If this proposal had been in effect last year, Californians could have saved hundreds of millions of dollars at the pump as evidenced by this Division of Petroleum Market Oversight analysis.
The governor’s special session will focus on passing on his plan to save Californians money at the pump. It would authorize the California Energy Commission to require petroleum refiners to maintain a minimum inventory of refined fuel throughout the distribution chain to avoid supply shortages that create higher prices at the pump for consumers. It would also authorize the energy commission to require refiners to plan for resupply during scheduled refiner maintenance.
The state’s gasoline price watchdog also found that, in 2023, gasoline prices spiked largely due to refineries shutting down without adequately planning to backfill supplies, which caused refining margins to spike as spot and retail prices jumped — indicating that refinery margins made up the largest proportion of the price spikes between July and September 2023.
Milestones
U.S. Marshals Service deputizes Oakley officers
Oakley police officer T. Radcliffe and his police service canine partner Harkon were recently invited to formally join the local U.S. Marshal’s Service task force. On Aug. 23, they were both deputized as United States Marshals. It was the first time in California north of Los Angeles that a local police officer and his canine were deputized as part of a U.S. Marshals task force, according to a press release. These task forces serve high-risk warrants related to investigations that are tied to those fugitives. Radcliffe and Harkon have had experience working with the local Marshal’s task force during investigations and apprehensions. One of the primary functions of the
Photo courtesy of City of Oakley
United States Marshals Service is to oversee regional task forces with the purpose of combining the efforts of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to locate and apprehend dangerous fugitives.
OBITUARY
Joseph (Gene) Eugene Zimmerman
Jan. 20, 1928-Aug. 28, 2024
Joseph (Gene) Eugene Zimmerman M.D. was born on Jan. 20, 1928 in Ferris, Oklahoma. Gene breathed his last breath on Aug. 28, 2024 at his home in Antioch, Calif. He was preceded in death by his wife Esther J. Zimmerman, father Edward F. Zimmerman, and his mother Orpha H. Eberly.
Gene met his future wife, Esther Hofstar, while at Southwestern Adventist College, and they were married on Aug. 29, 1948. Gene served with his wife as missionaries in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from 1961-1966.
Gene founded Antioch Medical Park and operated his medical practice there from 1973-2015.
Gene, along with his wife, supported numerous missionary projects in Bolivia and other countries. He was a strong supporter of his beloved Antioch Seventh-day Adventist church and Hilltop Christian School.
He is survived by his three sons – David E. Zimmerman of Antioch,
Sept. 14, 2024 at 3 p.m at the Antioch Seventh-day Adventist Church at 2200 Country Hills Drive, Antioch Calif.
Calif., Edward A. Zimmerman of Colville, Wash.; and Daniel L. Zimmerman of Penn Valley, Calif. – and his daughter, Ellen M. Amador (Zimmerman) of Cottonwood, Calif. His funeral service will be on
Cruising is experiencing a surge in popularity, now surpassing pre-COVID levels and continued growth is expected. Carnival alone has 6 new ships on order in the next decade.
One of the key reasons for this growth is the all-inclusive nature of cruises, which combines ship transportation, accommodations, meals, and entertainment into one price, usually proving much more economical than à la carte bookings.
Cruise travelers also enjoy a wide range of destinations, from tropical beaches to Alaskan glaciers, allowing them to explore multiple locations without the hassle of frequent packing and unpacking. It’s like checking into a 4-star resort, unpacking, and the hotel moves!
With everything planned and
BY STEVEN BIBBY, COBALTIA TRAVEL
organized in advance, passengers can focus on relaxation and enjoyment. The range of onboard activities ensures that there’s something for everyone to do as much or as little as they like, making cruising an ideal choice for a worry-free and memorable vacation.
Want to learn more? Come to a free Cobaltia Cruising info night Thurs 9/26, 7pm at CoCo County Wine, 633 1st St, Brentwood. Call 925-303-4565 or visit www.CobaltiaTravel.com to preregister and get an extra raffle entry!
– Advertorial
Transit agency to hold town hall on services
Fleet’s ridership ‘significantly lower’ than pre-COVID
By Jake Menez Staff Writer
Tri Delta Transit is seeking input from residents during a Sept. 12 virtual town hall meeting in an effort to boost ridership, which the organization says is less than before the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Although Tri Delta Transit is providing more hours than before the pandemic, ridership is significantly lower,” the organization’s website says. “This is partly due to a shift in pre-pandemic com-
muter work schedules.”
To this end, an initiative called Revitalize Tri Delta Transit has been launched. Its goal is to provide “an opportunity to rebuild ridership by updating the transit network so it reflects changing transit rider needs – especially among transit-dependent riders,” according to the website.
The virtual town hall meeting on Zoom from 6:30-8 p.m. is meant for riders to share their input on two different proposals from the organization that will impact routes, bus frequency and service hours, according to their website.
Residents can register for the Zoom link at https://bit.ly/4cTVDz4.
Those without Zoom capabilities can visit http://www.revitalizetridelta.com/ for watch party locations.
Cruise ships from major cruise lines in Nassau, Bahamas.
Photo by Steven Bibby
The Press file photo
Calendar
Events
Saturday, September 7
La Gran Fiesta
Hispanic Heritage Event
Presented by the Brentwood Chamber of Commerce, celebrate La Gran Fiesta from 2-8 p.m. at Brentwood City Park with live musical performances, a car show, a free kids zone and Hispanic food. For details, call 925-634-3344. Rivertown Peddlers Faire
The faire, which runs from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at G and 2nd streets in Antioch’s Historic Rivertown Business District, features more than 70 vendors offer vintage goods, antiques, furniture, home decor, repurposed and upcycled items, home & garden, handmade items, arts and crafts, jewelry and gifts, live music, food , beer and wine, and shopping. Admission and parking are free. For details, visit: https://www. rivertownpeddlersfaire.com.
Afternoon Tea at PETALS
PETALS flower shop is hosting a women’s afternoon tea event with a guest speaker for autism. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to an autism charity. It will be a curated and whimsical afternoon tea experience. The price is $65.00 per person. The event will take place from noon–3 p.m. at The Streets of Brentwood, 2535 Sand Creek Rd. #128, Brentwood. Please use the QR code on the flyer to book all registrations by Sept. 3. To view the flyer visit https://www.thepress. net/calendar/afternoon-tea-at-petals/event_ ca9891d8-63fb-11ef-9cc5-3b8d32aaf48a.html
Oakley Youth Advisory Council
Creekside Clean-up
The Oakley Youth Advisory Council announced a community creek clean-up event at Creekside Park on Sept. 7. Residents are invited to help clean up the from 9-11 a.m. to remove trash and debris from the creek and park at Creekside Park, 3900 Creekside Way, Oakley. This event will be in partnership with the Friends of Marsh Creek Watershed and the Contra Costa County Conservation District. Gloves, trash bags, and refreshments will be provided. Register at https://secure.rec1.com/CA/oakley-ca/catalog and navigate to the Events tab.
Sunday, September 8
ECHS Community Barbecue
The East Contra Costa Historical Society hosts its 36th annual community barbecue at the museum from 1-4 p.m. The menu includes tri tip, corn, tomato salad, beans and dessert. Tickets are $35 for adults, $15 for children ages 6-12. Tickets go on sale Aug. 10. For details, visit www.eastcontracostahistory.org or call 925-634-4049.
13th Annual Delta Harvest Run
The 13th annual Delta Harvest Run is scheduled at City Park in Brentwood. The race day schedule is: 6 a.m. – Race-day registration and packet pick-up opens; 7:15 a.m. – Prerace warmup; 7:30 a.m. – half marathon start; 7:45 a.m. – 10K start; 8 a.m. – 5K start; 9 a.m. – 1-mile family fun run start; 10 a.m. – awards ceremony – all at the Community Center at 35 Oak St., Brentwood. For details and to register, visit DeltaHarvestRun/com.
Monday, September 9
Cascada de Flores
Celebrate Latinx Hispanic Heritage Month by singing and dancing along to original folk songs by Cascada de Flores at Brentwood Community Center, 35 Oak St. from 6:307:15 p.m. featuring live guitar music and traditional dance performed by Arwen Lawrence and Jorge Liceaga. This free family event is brought to you by the Friends of the Brentwood Library. For more events and library hours, visit ccclib.org/events or call 925-516-5290.
To have your event appear in the newspaper, email your events to calendar@brentwoodpress.com one week prior to publication. To have your event online, post your event for free on The Press Community Calendar www.thepress.net/calendar.
On the Horizon
Friday, September 13
Antioch Senior Resource Festival
The city of Antioch is hosting a Country Resource Fair at 415 W. 2nd St. where resources for seniors will be available from 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. The city also urges attendees to wear their favorite Country-Western attire. For more details, visit https://www.antiochca. gov/recreation/senior-center/.
Saturday, September 14
Banner Up! Live Auction
Art Guild of the Delta’s Banner Up! 2024 Live Auction is from 6-9 p.m. at the Brentwood Senior Center, 193 Griffith Lane, Brentwood. Proceeds support local artists and Adventure Therapy Foundation. Pick up your free banner guide at the community center. For more information, visit ArtGuildoftheDelta. org or call Rosie Grejsen at 925-698-2077.
Saturday, September 21
2024 PJTF 11th Annual Benefit Gala
The Patriots Jet Team Foundation’s 11th annual benefit gala from 5–10 p.m. at the Patriots Jet Team Center Byron Airport at 760 Osprey Court, Byron, features Champagne reception, dinner and live music. The cost is $225 per person until Aug. 15. For details, call 925-338-7583 or visit https://www.pjtf.org/.
Pints for Pups Fundraiser for Canine Companions
Canine Companions of Brentwood presents the fundraiser from noon-4 p.m. with food, beer, pups, and games. They train assistance dogs and provide support to adults, children and veterans with disabilities free of charge. Enjoy some Ike’s and Four Legs beer to help support canine companions at Four Legs Brewery at 2010 Elkins Way, Suite 120, in Brentwood. The brewery is donating $1 for every beer sold during the event, and Ikes Grill is donating 10% of their sales during the event. For details, contact Sarah Pompa at (909) 556-5784 or sphilpta@gmail.com.
Thursday, September 26
Evening on the Lawn for Education
The annual TEACH fundraiser that features food,cash bar, silent auction and a raffle is for the Los Medanos College Foundation is from 5-8 p.m. at the Trilogy Event Center and Lawn. Presale tickets are $65. Checks payable to Trilogy Teach Club can be dropped off at the mailroom or mailed to Trilogy TEACH club at 1700 Trilogy Parkway, Brentwood, CA 94513.
Saturday, September 28
Brentwood Rotary Club
Craft Brew Festival
The Brentwood Rotary Club’s third annual Brewfest brings the community together to enjoy a diverse selection of craft beers, music, and local food vendors. The festival at City Park from 1-5 p.m. is a fundraiser for the club, supporting its various charitable projects and initiatives. Attendees can sample beers from breweries, participate in fun activities, and enjoy a lively atmosphere. Tickets can be purchased at eventbrite $60 https://bit. ly/3SZzXKz or at the event for $70.
Friday & Saturday October 4 & 5
Friends of Oakley Library Book Sale
The Friends of the Oakley Library will be hosting a two-day book sale inside the City of Oakley’s council chambers. There will be fiction for adults, teens, and children of all ages, children’s holiday books, and nonfiction books including cookbooks, books on crafting, parenting, history, and more. Prices are $1.00 for hardbacks and .50 for paperbacks. Get your stocking stuffers early and at great prices. The event will be from 5 p.m-9 p.m. at Oakley City Hall, 3231 Main St, Oakley.
Saturday, October 5
Pawstoberfest Party and Dog Parade
Ruff Day Rescue presents Pawstoberfest from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. at Veterans Park at 3841 Balfour Road in Brentwood. There will be a beer garden, artisan and pet booths, food trucks, onsite adoptions and microchipping/vaccination, kids area, canine demonstrations, dog parade costume contest (small dogs at 1:30; large dogs at 2:30). Live music by Dawglips from 1-5 p.m. For details, visit ruffdayrescue.org.
Los Medanos College 50th Anniversary Party
LMC is kicking off the next 50 years of excellence with a big anniversary party at 11 a.m. on Saturday, October 5 at 2700 E. Leland Road, Pittsburg. The celebration includes a party with music hosted by FM Radio 102 Jams DJ Chuy Gomez, food, giveaways and more, followed by the first-ever homecoming football game. The Mustangs will take the field against De Anza College Lions at 1 p.m. For additional information about LMC’s 50th anniversary and upcoming events, visit www. losmedanos.edu/50th. This event is free and open to the public.
Friday, October 11
Texas Hold ‘Em Inaugural Poker Tournament
The Rotary Club of Oakley will hold its Inaugural Texas Hold ‘Em Poker Tournament from 6-10 p.m. at the Oakley Recreation Center, 1250 O’Hara Avenue, Oakley. Tickets are $75 and include a buffet dinner, one drink ticket and tournament play. The event includes a no-host bar and raffle, and will be run by Blue Dog Events. Participants must be at least 21 to play. Doors open at 6 p.m. for dinner. Tournament starts at 7 p.m. All proceeds from this event will benefit the new Oakley Library and Community Center project. For tickets and sponsorships, contact Mike Hale at (213) 359-9799 or Michael.Hale@scouting.org. For more information visit https://www.eventbrite. com/e/oakley-rotary-inaugural-texashold-em-poker-tournament-fundraisertickets-971173816027?aff=ebdssbdestsea rch
Saturday October 12
Brentwood Oktoberfest
The Downtown Brentwood Coalition’s Annual Oktoberfest is coming back on Saturday, October 12th from 1-7 p.m. in Downtown Brentwood. General Admission is Free. VIP passes will also be available. This year’s event will feature: The Sierra Nevada Biergarten with special guest Four Legs Brewing, the bands Alpine Sound and Adam Aldama and the Aces, Fun Zone including games, a train and more, Lockeford Sausage plus a variety of delicious food choices from local vendors to downtown restaurants, Beer Stein games, a weiner dog costume parade, local wine from Contra Costa Wine Growers, an Oktoberfest Market and much more!
Wednesday, October 16
Liberty Adult Education Fall Job/ Resource Fair
The event will be held at 929 Second Street, Brentwood, CA 94513 from 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. The LAE Career and Resource Fair aims to showcase a wide range of local professional opportunities, spanning industries from manufacturing, healthcare, IT, finance and beyond. A dedicated space will be made available to conduct interviews upon request. For more information contact decesaren@ luhsd.net. Space is limited. Please RSVP by September 16th here: https://forms.office. com/r/8G12SthRd1.
El Campanil Theatre
602 W. Second Street • Antioch
David Burnham Sings Bublé
Presented by El Campanil Theatre
Sunday, September 1st @ 2pm
Adult: $32
Senior: $29
Youth: $15
George Michael Reborn
Tribute Artist Robert Bartko
Presented by El Campanil Theatre
Sunday, September 29 @ 2pm
Adult: $32
Senior: $29
Youth: $15
Curtain Call Cabaret
An exhilarating Aerial Variety Show
Presented by Coach Willis Chinn
Saturday, October 5 @ 7pm
All Seats: $30
A Tribute to Linda Ronstadt Presented by Ronstadt Revolution
Friday, October 11 @ 7pm
Adults: $35
Seniors: $32
Hula Away The Cancer Presented By Mau Loa Ohana
Saturday, October 12 @ 7:30pm
Reserved Seating $25.00
Children 2 and under free
Tribute to The Eagles
Tribute Artists: Midnight Flyer
Presented by El Campanil Theatre
Saturday, November 2 @ 7pm
Adults: $32
Seniors: $29
Youth: $15
Renegade Orchestra
“The Beauty of a Symphony, the Soul of a Rock Band” Presented by El Campanil Theatre
Saturday, November 23 @ 7pm
Adults: $32
Seniors: $29
Youth: $15
Motown Holiday Review
Top Shelf Entertainment
Presented by El Campanil Theatre
Wednesday, December 18 @ 2pm
Adults: $32
Seniors: $29
Youth: $15
TICKETS AVAILABLE ONLINE & THROUGH THE BOX OFFICE @ ELCAMPANILTHEATRE.COM BOX OFFICE: (925) 757-9500
RENTAL INFORMATION: OUR VENUE IS A PERFECT PLACE FOR RECITALS, CONCERTS, SEMINARS, WORKSHOPS, POETRY READING, GRADUATIONS, WEDDINGS, PLAYS, MUSICALS AND MANY OTHER EVENTS
Cop logs
A case of grand theft occurred on Sand Creek Road. Two suspects in ski masks used a crowbar to break into a fragrance counter at an unnamed store.
August 16, 8:49 p.m.
break into a fragrance counter at an unnamed store.
BRENTWOOD
August 16, 8:44 a.m. An accident occurred at Balfour Road and Brentwood Blvd. No injuries were reported.
August 16, 9:32 a.m. A case of petty theft was reported on Torrey Pines Drive. A package was taken from a mailbox.
August 16, 10:14 a.m. A case of forgery/ fraud was reported on Water Street.
August 16, 10:16 a.m. A suspicious person was reported on Sand Creek Road.
August 16, 10:39 a.m. A case of forgery/ fraud was reported on Centennial Drive.
August 16, 11:37 a.m. A case of identity theft was reported on Brentwood Boulevard.
August 16, 12:54 p.m. A case of petty theft was reported on Sand Creek Road. Five pairs of shoes were taken.
August 16, 1:21 p.m. A suspicious circumstance was reported on West Country Club Drive. Large group of juveniles formed with their phones out.
August 16, 1:47 p.m. A suspicious circumstance was reported on Lone Tree Way. A person attempted to ship a package full of marijuana.
August 16, 2:09 p.m. A hit and run was reported on Lone Tree Way. No injuries were reported.
August 16, 2:24 p.m. An accident was reported at Balfour Road and Brentwood Boulevard. No vehicle damage or injuries were reported.
August 16, 4:17 p.m. A hit and run with no injuries was reported on Balfour Road.
August 16, 7:46 p.m. A missing adult was reported on Armstrong Road.
August 16, 8:46 p.m. A strong-arm robbery was reported on Lone Tree way. No weapons were reported. A pair of pants was taken.
August 16, 8:49 p.m. A case of grand theft occurred on Sand Creek Road. Two suspects in ski masks used a crowbar to
August 16, 9:36 p.m. A hit and run was reported on Sand Creek Road. No injuries were reported.
August 16, 9:48 p.m. A case of disturbing the peace occurred on First Street. Suspect pulled down his pants in an auditorium.
August 17, 4:41 a.m. A case of disturbing the peace oc curred on Ala manor Street. Suspect was arrested.
August 17, 8:09 a.m. A case of vehicle theft was reported on Second Street.
August 17, 8:57 a.m. A restraining or der/court order violation was re ported on Serene Court.
August 17, 9:29 a.m. Found proper ty was reported on Cen tral Boulevard and Griffith Lane. It was a kid’s bike.
August 17, 11:00 a.m. An accident was reported at Business Center Drive and Sand Creek Road. No medical assistance was requested.
August 17, 2:43 p.m. A DUI was reported on Lone Tree Way. Two suspects were drinking in an aisle of a parking lot.
August 17, 3:38 p.m. A case of grand theft was reported on Second Street.
August 17, 6:40 p.m. An accident was reported on Balfour Road and Summerset Drive. Unknown injuries.
August 17, 7:06 p.m. A case of petty theft was reported on Lone Tree Way. Suspect stole make-up and was arrested.
August 17, 7:11 p.m. A case of petty theft was reported on Lone Tree Way. Suspect took 3 pairs of shoes.
August 17, 8:45 p.m. A missing adult was reported on Coconut Place. A resident went on a walk around 8:00 p.m. and did not return.
August 17, 9:21 p.m. A report of vandalism occurred on Crowley Court. Four tires were slashed and license plate was stolen.
August 17, 10:12 p.m. A suspicious circumstance was reported at Trianda Way and Cabada Drive. There was a loud vehicle horn going off for one hour, off and on.
August 18, 12:41 a.m. An accident was reported at Balfour Road and Minnesota Avenue. Unknown injuries.
August 18, 1:56 a.m. A verbal dispute was reported at Oak Street and First Street. One adult was arrested.
August 18, 7:16 a.m. A case of petty theft was reported on Lone Tree Way. Two suspects took items.
August 18, 8:27 a.m. A case of vandalism was reported on Shady Willow Lane. The reporting party’s vehicle was vandalized.
August 18, 10:19 a.m. A case of vehicle theft was reported on Lone Tree Way.
August 18, 2:38 p.m. A case of petty theft was reported on Lone Tree Way. Suspect took clothing.
August 18, 3:50 p.m. A case of petty theft
was reported on Summer Circle.
August 18, 5:57 p.m. A verbal domestic dispute was reported on Trent Place.
August 19, 8:53 a.m. A case of forgery/ fraud was reported on Brentwood Boulevard.
August 19, 10:05 a.m. A case of commercial burglary was reported on Sand Creek Road. A container at a charging station was pried open. Tools and cables were taken sometime over the weekend.
August 19, 11:51 a.m. A case of petty theft was reported on Walnut Boulevard.
August 19, 12:43 p.m. A case of forgery/ fraud was reported on Empire Avenue. Suspect paid for merchandise with a fake $20 bill.
August 19, 1:51 p.m. Found property was reported on Brentwood Boulevard. The reporting party found a wallet while at Stinson Beach the night before and dropped it off at the police department.
August 19, 1:52 p.m. A harassment complaint was reported on Solana Drive. The reporting party keeps receiving a scam call from someone saying he is from the Brentwood Police Department.
August 19, 2:52 p.m. A case of forgery/ fraud was reported on Lone Tree Way.
August 19, 4:13 p.m. A hit and run was reported on Birch Street. No injuries were reported.
August 20, 9:06 a.m. A suspicious circumstance was reported on Pescara Boulevard.
August 20, 9:38 a.m. A case of vandalism was reported on Elkins Way. Suspect cut a hole in a fence overnight.
August 20, 1:10 p.m. A case of petty theft was reported on Sand Creek Road.
August 20, 1:43 p.m. A case of petty theft was reported on Lone Tree Way.
August 20, 4:22 p.m. An accident was reported at Sand Creek Road and Business Center Drive. Unknown injuries.
August 20, 6:29 p.m. A case of petty theft was reported on San Jose Avenue.
August 20, 6:33 p.m. A suspicious person was reported on Lone Tree Way.
Liberty looks to avenge last year’s blown lead with win at Los Gatos
By Juan Cebreiros Correspondent
With one preseason playoff opponent down and four more to go, Liberty looks to gear up for a battle with a familiar foe: Los Gatos High.
The Lions have lost to Los Gatos in each of the past three years. However, last year’s loss to the Wildcats stung the Lions and ended up being a big factor in them failing to qualify for the North Coast Section Division I playoffs.
Last year, Liberty led 34-14 at halftime over Los Gatos, but missed on several scoring chances and surrendered 20 unanswered points to fall 35-34. The loss kept the Lions ranked beneath Campolindo and Clayton Valley Charter, two nonleague winning teams that earned a spot in NCS playoffs.
“We came out with a lot of energy last year in the first half and felt really good about what we had. We made too many mistakes and allowed them to come back to win the game,” head coach Mike Cable said. “You can’t do that to the good programs. You have to play four quarters of football.”
Week 1 was a big win for the Lions as they defeated Frontier 24-7 to give them their first regular-season loss since October of 2022. Cable said the energy his
Liberty Lions defense backs work on their tackling during Liberty’s Tuesday practice.
and how we came out with energy and attitude was exactly what we wanted from this team,” Cable said on what he saw last Friday night from his team.
Knowing the team would be traveling down to Los Gatos for Week 2, Cable made the decision to schedule their preseason scrimmage at Sequoia High in Redwood City to get his team used to the roughly 90-minute bus ride south.
Los Gatos is coming off a year when they reached the CIF 2A State Championship game, losing 45-42 to Central Valley Christian. They have made the playoffs every year since 2004, and Cable said he expects this Friday night to be a playoff-type game.
“The way they run their offense is at a much higher tempo and puts a lot of stress on the defense if they’re not prepared for that,” Cable said. “Their defense is very physical also so it’s a good all-around team and in order to beat them you have to match the intensity at all three phases of the game.”
team came out with for Week 1 is something he hopes they can duplicate, but this time on the road.
“The way that we played that night
Kickoff is scheduled to be for 7 p.m. at Los Gatos High School in Los Gatos. To view a slideshow, visit www.thepress. net/multimedia/slideshows
Heritage looks to fix mistakes heading to Granada in Livermore for first road game of season
By Jeff Weisinger Staff Writer
Heritage was about five minutes away from opening the season with a win for the third straight year. However, mistakes in the final five minutes and a little bit of bad luck cost the Patriots in their 20-19 loss against Foothill last week.
As the team prepares for its first road test of the season at Granada in Livermore, head coach Dave Fogelstrom is hoping that Heritage has learned from those mistakes.
“We had a variety of mistakes in that football game that were a combination of things, especially errors on special teams,” Fogelstrom said. ”We watched film and about a dozen plays changed that game. If any one of them goes our way, we win.”
Heritage’s special teams played a big role in sparking the Falcons’ late twoscore rally. According to Fogelstrom, the Patriots had a field goal attempt blocked because of a player who forgot to go out for the field goal, another blocked field goal because of alignment issues on the play, and a blocked punt because of mis-
terback Phillip Babbitt went 13-for-22 with 160 passing yards, and fellow senior, wideout JJ Kinnaird, caught six of those balls for 117 yards. Although Heritage struggled in the run game overall, senior Mekhi Adanandus ran for two touchdowns as the Patriots ran for just 73 yards on 28 carries.
”I feel like we threw the ball well,” Fogelstrom said. “But in order to close out a game with a lead, in all levels of football, you have to be able to run.”
Heading into Friday night’s matchup against the Matadors, Fogelstrom says that this year’s edition of Granada football is similar, yet different from the one that defeated Heritage in Brentwood last year 35-21.
takes with the team’s depth and alignment.
Then Foothill recovered an onside kick late in the strangest way possible, one even Fogelstrom couldn’t believe.
”Their kickoff bounced off our front guy’s ankle and shot straight back to them,” he explained. “I have never seen that in 30-plus years of coaching.”
Heritage started the game well and led 19-7 until the final five minutes of the game. The offense followed on the momentum they built in the scrimmage in Miramonte the week before. Senior quar-
”Granada is a strong team with a good group of guys coming back,” Fogelstrom said. “They have an entirely new coaching gaff and we know them and they know us. They’re a different team from a year ago in terms of scheme, but they still have tough players who play hard every single down.”
Granada dropped their season opener at Monte Vista, 41-14, last week.
Heritage senior Mekhi Adanandus runs the ball late in the fourth quarter against Foothill in the Patriots’ home opener last Friday.
Photo by Jennifer Rhinebec
Photo by Juan Cebreiros
Liberty girls volleyball opens league play with sweep over Pittsburg
By Juan Cebreiros Correspondent
The Liberty girls volleyball team opened league play with a sweep (25-11, 25-12, 25-13) over visiting Pittsburg on Tuesday.
“I think this definitely sets the tone for our season and puts us at a high note entering league,” Lions head coach Ana Hofferber said of the victory. “I think all the girls are feeling really confident and ready to take on league. Coming in with that first league win definitely boosts the confidence.”
Senior Brooklyn Gamez led the team with 13 kills while no other Lion had double digits. Senior Maggie Lind and junior Emery Gunderson combined for 33 of the team’s 35 assists.
Adding on to the team’s offensive success was their ability to serve. Liberty’s 10 aces helped them keep a firm grip on momentum during their sweep over the Pirates.
Liberty was 2-4 entering Tuesday night’s contest and coming off a 3-1 loss to Mountain House from last Tuesday. With the Lions having a sub .500 record in preseason thus far, Hofferber said that the tough preseason schedule will help
her team be strong in league this year.
“We really try and play harder schools and put ourselves in harder tournaments so that we’re ready and expecting anything,” she said. “Our league is definitely a league where one year a team is
the girls volleyball champion. Heritage has won BVAL the past four seasons. However, Hofferber doesn’t want to look ahead to possible scenarios and wants to “focus on game by game, point by point.”
“These girls really want that league title but we have to focus game to game because if not it ends up becoming a mental game in their heads,” Hofferber said.
one way and the next year they come back stronger or weaker and we’re kind of unprepared. You always have to expect the unexpected.”
The one thing that has been consistent in the Bay Valley Athletic League is
Liberty girls volleyball has not won a BVAL title since the 2018 season when they went 10–0 in league play. Hofferber said she felt that the one thing that could play a crucial role in Liberty making a run at a league title would be the team’s chemistry they’ve built over the early parts of the season.
“I’m always confident in my girls because they always show up every day, ready to work and there’s a dynamic going on with this team where everyone’s here for each other,” Hofferber said. “It just shows that they’re willing to put in the work and that the confidence is growing. It’s a team that has a different thing going for us this year and it’s been fun to watch even though it’s just the beginning.”
Liberty next hosts Antioch this Thursday at 6:15 p.m.
To comment, visit www.thepress.net
Liberty’s Brooklyn Gamez returns a serve from the Pittsburg Pirates.
Photo by Juan Cebreiros
Brentwood Dolphins swimmers excel
The Brentwood Dolphins Swim Club finished another
The Dolphins finished the 2024 season sending nine swimmers to the prestigious Contra Costa County Meet, the premier recreational championship swim meet for the last 62 years. To qualify to swim at the championship, swimmers had to hit fast qualifying times with respect to their age group and stroke. The 2024 County qualifying swimmers were: Shay Brophy, Olivia Posada, Annabelle Logan, Ava Erhard, Jalen Lee, Tyler Yee, Aidan Herman-
son, Donte Douglas, and Jonathan Alahuzos.
Last week, the Dolphins also celebrated their High Point winners for each age group: Hayden Holland (6U Boys), Olivia Posada (6U Girls), Guy Gandenberger (7/8 Boys), Avery Venegas (7/8 Girls), Jonas Wunschel (9/10 Boys), Julianna Alaniz (9/10 Girls), Marcel Patterson Jr. (11/12 Boys), Niki Rose (11/12 Girls), Matthew Ibrahim (13/14 Boys), Annabelle Logan (13/14 Girls), Aidan Hermanson (15-18 Men), and Faith Westcott (1518 Women).
For details about the club, visit https:// brentwooddolphins.swimtopia.com
Photo courtesy of Jackie Gandenberger
EDITORIALS, LETTERS & COMMENTARY
Have something to say? Post a comment or submit a letter to the editor at www.thepress.net/site/forms
The Brentwood Youth Press –giving a platform to young writers
Every new school year, our districts are met with new students, youth ideas, and opportunities- and this year, we encourage students to look forward to the revamping of the Brentwood Youth Press.
Heritage High School students Rojan Habon and I will be focusing on reintegrating student perspectives into the official Press. To introduce ourselves, here are our respective blurbs:
Rojan Habon:
Hey everyone! My name is Rojan Habon and I am a junior at Heritage High School. I really wanted to continue the Youth Press as I have been living in Brentwood for around 14 years, and upon finding out about the Youth Press I felt like I found a place where I could really voice my opinions! I love writing articles about things around our community, whether it’s in school or around Brentwood itself- it has always been an interest of mine!
Rachel Lei:
Hi! I’m Rachel, and I am also a junior at Heritage. The Youth Press gave me a platform to research and discuss
Social Talk about town...
important topics that affect the community I’m surrounded by-- knowing the “why” behind the “what” has always been a major interest of mine. It gave me a reason to put myself out there and get more en gaged with my peers (especially through interviews and go ing through the writing process for each article). I hope to keep this program running and give this great opportunity to other students too.
Now, let’s take a closer look at how the Youth Press functions. One of the first major components of the Youth Press is outreach – we’d like to establish youth leadership with student representatives from each high school in the Liberty Union High School
District (and beyond) to promote journalism in clubs and classrooms.
In order to highlight youth thoughts on important issues, the Youth Press will designate a section of newspapers for student op-eds and politically impactful articles. We’re open to publishing all opinions from students of all ages from middle school to college. We believe it essential to listen to our peers and use students’ thoughts to explore important decisions in our com-
Lastly, we intend to try to make the Press’s works and the newspaper more accessible for students, be it through promoting the newspaper on social media or bringing physical ar-
ticles to libraries.
We’re accepting article submissions for September from any student who wants to join. We also have leadership positions open, including associate editor/representative for each high school (we are mostly in need of students from Liberty and Freedom high schools). Each editor will be responsible for reaching out to students in their own schools; writing one article on their school every month; and reviewing articles written by their school’s students.
Students may also join as an official general writer after they write three articles for the Press. They will be encouraged to help their school’s associate editor conduct research and interviews for the editor’s monthly school-centered article.
If you’d like to work with and/or join the Youth Press, please email thebrentwoodyouthpress@gmail.com or see our outreach Instagram @brentwoodyouthpress. We look forward to working with everyone.
Rachel Lei Heritage High School, Junior
The following comments were made on Instagram in response to the story ‘Raising a stink over cattle at Deer Ridge golf course’ first published in the August 23 issue of The Press.
“Bummer! I enjoyed watching them.”
– @peg_purple
“Two months cattle grazing or loose your home to a grass fire…..”
– @paulsdemise
“Let’s focus on the illegal dumping on the roadside’s instead how about that?”
– @dominguez_947
“They should be more concerned about the drunk drivers, leaving the golf course
POLITICAL ENDORSEMENT LETTER TO THE EDITOR POLICY
The Press invites your political endorsement letter to the editor advocating for or against a candidate, ballot measure or political party. Letters will be placed in print and online for $50 for up to 200 words or $80 for 201 to 325 words. Please include your name, address and phone number for confirmation.
The Press reserves the right to edit submissions for length, clarity, potential libel and taste, or to not print letters we feel violate our standards of acceptance.
Opinions expressed in these letters are not necessarily those of The Press, whose opinions are contained in clearly marked editorials.
Send correspondence to The Press, 248 Oak St., Brentwood, California 94513; or email editor@brentwoodpress.com.
instead of worrying about some cows.”
– @victorwarren415
“This city has a lot bigger issues than cows grazing in the field”
– @californiafive0
SUMMONS (CITACION JUDICIAL)
CASE NUMBER (Número del Caso):
Community Community
C24-00463 NOTICE TO DEFENDANT (AVISO AL DEMANDADO):
GARAGE SALE
Enter at: Fairview & Baldwin
Real Estate
2505 Hampton Lane, Antioch 2BD, 1.5 BA, 1152 SF
Large patio, parking in front, shed, 2 story, large master suite, walk-in closet, large 2nd bedroom. New appliances, water heater and more. Ready to move in! Call David Weed, 925-360-1222
MICHELE URIARTE, an individual; GOODWOOD PROPERTIES LLC, a California limited liability company; GYORGY MATRAI, an individual; and DOES 1-5, Inclusive YOU ARE BEING SUED BY PLAINTIFF (LO ESTÁ DEMANDANDO EL DEMANDANTE): RAJINDER BRAR, an individual NOTICE! You have been sued. The court may decide against you without your being heard unless you respond within 30 days. Read the information below. You have 30 CALENDAR DAYS after this summons and legal papers are served on you to file a written response at this court and have a copy served on the plaintiff. A letter or phone call will not protect you. Your written response must be in proper legal form if you want the court to hear your case. There may be a court form that you can use for your response. You can find these court forms and more information at the California Courts Online Self-Help Center (www.courtinfo.ca.gov/selfhelp), your county law library, or the courthouse nearest you. If you cannot pay the filing fee, ask the court clerk for a fee waiver form. If you do not file your response on time, you may lose the case by default, and your wages, money, and property may be taken without further warning from the court. There are other legal requirements. You may want to call an attorney right away. If you do not know an attorney, you may want to call an attorney referral service. If you cannot afford an attorney, you may be eligible for free legal services from a nonprofit legal services program. You can locate these nonprofit groups at the California Legal Services Web site (www. lawhelpcalifornia.org), the California Courts Online Self-Help Center (www. courtinfo.ca.gov/selfhelp), or by contacting your local court or county bar association. NOTE: The court has a statutory lien for waived fees and costs on any settlement or arbitration award of $10,000 or more in a civil case. The court’s lien must be paid before the court will dismiss the case. ¡AVISO! Lo han demandado. Si no responde dentro de 30 días, la corte puede decidir en su contra sin escuchar su versión. Lea la información a continuación. Tiene 30 DÍAS DE CALENDARIO después de que le entreguen esta citación y papeles legales para presentar una respuesta por escrito en esta corte y hacer que se entregue una copia al demandante. Una carta o una llamada telefónica no lo protegen. Su respuesta por escrito tiene que estar en formato legal correcto si desea que procesen su caso en la corte. Es posible que haya un formulario que usted pueda usar para su respuesta. Puede encontrar estos formularios de la corte y más información en el Centro de Ayuda de las Cortes de California (www.sucorte. ca.gov), en la biblioteca de leyes de su condado o en la corte que le quede más cerca. Si no puede pagar la cuota de presentación, pida al secretario de la corte que le dé un formulario de exención de pago de cuotas. Si no presenta su respuesta a tiempo, puede perder el caso por incumplimiento y la corte le podrá quitar su sueldo, dinero y bienes sin más advertencia. Hay otros requisitos legales. Es recomendable que llame a un abogado inmediatamente. Si no conoce a un abogado, puede llamar a un servicio de remisión a abogados. Si no puede pagar a un abogado, es posible que cumpla con los requisitos para obtener servicios legales gratuitos de un programa de servicios legales sin fines de lucro. Puede encontrar estos grupos sin fines de lucro en el sitio web de California Legal Services, (www. lawhelpcalifornia.org), en el Centro de Ayuda de las Cortes de California, (www.sucorte.ca.gov) o poniéndose en contacto con la corte o el colegio de abogados locales. AVISO: Por ley, la
corte tiene derecho a reclamar las cuotas y los costos exentos por imponer un gravamen sobre cualquier recuperación de $10,000 ó más de valor recibida mediante un acuerdo o una concesión de arbitraje en un caso de derecho civil. Tiene que pagar el gravamen de la corte antes de que la corte pueda desechar el caso. The name and address of the court is: (El nombre y dirección de la corte es):
SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF CONTRA COSTA, 725 COURT STREET, MARTINEZ, CA 94553
Wakefield Taylor Courthouse
The name, address, and telephone number of plaintiff’s attorney, or plaintiff without an attorney, is: (El nombre, la dirección y el número de teléfono del abogado del demandante, o del demandante que no tiene abogado, es):
Ji W. Kim, Perspectives Law Group 3150 De La Cruz Blvd, Ste 206 Santa Clara, CA 95054
(408) 512-1907
DATE (Fecha): 2/21/2024 5:10 PM Clerk, by (Secretario): K. Jinkerson, Dept (Adjunto) NOTICE TO THE PERSON SERVED: You are served. Brentwood Press No. 02-1273 93323 Publish Dates: August 30, September 6, 13, 20, 2024.
ADVERTISEMENT OF SALE
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 Sections 21700-21716 of the Business & Professions Code, Section 2328 of the UCC, Section 535 of the Penal Code and provisions of the Civil Code. The undersigned will sell at public sale by competitive bidding on or after September 20th 2024, at 9:00 am using an online auction at www. storagetreasures.com
Property to be sold as follows: misc. household goods, personal items, furniture, clothing, toys, and or business fixtures belonging to the following: Customer NameUnit No. Amanda HumphreysA268 Michella PrideA245 Blanca Mejia RamirezA154 Brittany AcostaA258 Sale subject to cancellation in the event of settlement between owner and obligated party. Oakley Press No. 03-0477 93340 Publish Dates: September 6, 2024.
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS
NAME STATEMENT File No. F-2024-0004213 The name of the business(es): MA and Paw’s Spa Located at: 4525 La Casa Ct. In: Oakley, CA 94561, is hereby registered by the following owner(s): Jazlynn Nia Chambers. This business is conducted by: An individual. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on 07/16/2024. Signature of registrant: Jazlynn Chambers- Individual. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Contra Costa County on: August 6, 2024 by Deputy Clerk Expires 08/05/2029 Oakley Press No. 03-0477 93308 Publish dates: August 30, September 6,13, 20, 2024.
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT
File No. F-2024-0004213 The name of the business(es): Security Gate and Software Services Located at: 4525 La Casa In: Oakley, CA 94561, is hereby registered by the following owner(s): Jazlynn Nia Chambers. This business is conducted by: An individual. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on 07/16/2024. Signature of registrant: Jazlynn Chamber. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Contra Costa County on: August 6, 2024 by Deputy Clerk Expires 08/05/2029 Oakley Press No. 03-0477 93306 Publish dates: August 30, September 6,13,20, 2024
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT
File No. F-2024-0004253 The name of the business(es): WM Residential Located at: 1240 Walnut Meadows Dr. In: Oakley, CA 94561, is hereby registered by the following owner(s): Lucchesi Group Adult Residential, Inc. 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: Armando Valadez, CEO. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Contra Costa County on: August 7, 2024 by Deputy Clerk Expires 8/6/2029 Oakley Press No. 03-0477 93238 Publish dates: August 16, 23, 30, September 6, 2024.
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS
NAME STATEMENT
File No. F-2024-0004430 The name of the business(es): STORELOCAL STORAGE Located at: 4700 Main Street In: Oakley, CA 94561, is hereby registered by the following owner(s): Oakley Self Storage Management, LLC. This business is conducted by: A Limited Partnership. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on N/A. Signature of registrant: Oakley Self Storage Management, LLCGeneral Partner - Arthur L. Lorenzini, Jr. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Contra Costa County on: August 16, 2024 by Deputy Clerk Expires 8/15/2029 Oakley Press No. 03-0477 93367 Publish dates: September 6, 13, 20, 27, 2024.
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS
NAME STATEMENT
File No. F-2024-004427
The name of the business(es): Bluefin Sushi
Located at: 2083 Main In: Oakley, CA 94561, is hereby registered by the following owner(s): Sungeun Jan. 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: Sungeun JangCEO. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Contra Costa County on: August 16, 2024 by Deputy Clerk Expires 08/15/2029 Oakley Press No. 03-0477 93309 Publish dates: August 30, September 6,13,20, 2024.
NOTICE OF LIEN SALE
The following persons are in lien at Oakley Gateway Self Storage 2101 Laurel Rd. Oakley, CA. 94561: Geri Lira
Chazz Bolling
Tan Tran Lee
Ariel Lopez
All bids must be placed prior to Auction posted end time. The date of the sale will be 9/11/24 @ 12:00 pm. The location of the sale will be: Online at: www.storagetreasures.com Oakley Press No. 03-0477 93347 Publish Dates: September 6, 2024.
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:
Maria Jones
Melissa Seals
Michael Garcia
Kimberly Cothern
Sabrina Jaimez
Krista Scott
Joanne Enea
Fabio Mahoney
Auctioneer Company: www.storagetreasures.com The sale ends at 11:30 am 09/13/2024 Goods must be paid for by credit/debit card & removed at completion of sale. Sale
is subject to cancellation in the event of settlement between owner & obligated party. Run Dates 8/30/2024 and 09/06/2024. Oakley Self Storage 4700 Main Street, Oakley CA 94561 #925-625-7867. Oakley Press No. 030477 93319 Publish Dates: August 30, September 6, 2024.
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File No. F-2024-0004438 The name of the business(es):
1. Delta Diablo Construction
2. Delta Diablo Handyman Service Located at: 2510 Pearlite Way In: Antioch, CA 94531, is hereby registered by the following owner(s): Vincent Walter Herington. 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: Vincent Herington. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Contra Costa County on: 08/19/2024 by Deputy Clerk Expires 08/18/2029
Antioch Press No. 06-1617
Publish Dates: August 30, September 6, 13, 20, 2024
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS
NAME STATEMENT
File No. F-2024-0004265 The name of the business(es): Authentic Living Pepper Sauce Located at: 1086 Ventura Dr In: Pittsburg, CA 94565, is hereby registered by the following owner(s): Casey Michael Ferriera. 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: Casey Michael Ferriera, Owner. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Contra Costa County on: 08/08/2024 by Deputy Clerk Expires 08/07/2029 Brentwood Press No. 02-1273
Publish Dates: August 16, 23, 30, September 6, 2024
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS
NAME STATEMENT
File No. F-2024-0004457 The name of the business(es): Not Too Shabby Located at: 1520 Discovery Bay Blvd, Suite 200 In: Discovery Bay CA 94505, is hereby registered by the following owner(s): Francine Marie Fiebig. This business is conducted by: An Individual. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on 06/01/2024. Signature of registrant: Francine Fiebig, Individual. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Contra Costa County on: 08/19/2024 by Deputy Clerk Expires 08/18/2024
Brentwood Press No. 02-1273
Brentwood Press No. 02-1273
Publish Dates: September 6, 13, 20, 27, 2024
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS
NAME STATEMENT
File No. F-2024-0004695 The name of the business(es): COLDSTONE
CREAMERY Located at: 2710 Reddington WayIn: Brentwood, CA 94513, is hereby registered by the following owner(s): MADDORANI INC. 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: Mansoor Shaikh, CEO. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Contra Costa County on: August 29, 2024 by Deputy Clerk Expires 8/28/2029
Brentwood Press No. 02-1273
Publish Dates: September 6, 13, 20, 27, 2024
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS
NAME STATEMENT
File No. F-2024-0004520 The name of the business(es):
1. Discovery Bay BnB 2. Discovery Bay B&B
3. Bethel Island BnB
4. Bethel Island B&B Located at: 2176 Sand Point Rd In: Discovery Bay, CA 94505, is hereby registered by the following owner(s): Juliette Miller Bradley. 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: Juliette Miller Bradley, Individual. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Contra Costa County on: 08/22/2024 by Deputy Clerk Expires 08/21/2029 Brentwood Press No. 02-1273 Brentwood Press No. 02-1273
Publish Dates: September 6, 13, 20, 27, 2024
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT File No. F-2024-0003598 The name of the business(es): East Bay Maintenance Services Located at: 6150 Center St., Unit 1095 In: Clayton, CA 94517, is hereby registered by the following owner(s): 1. Denise Alyson Underwood 2. Jacob David Underwood. This business is conducted by: A Married Couple. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on 12/29/2017. Signature of registrant: Denise Underwood, Party of Marriage. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Contra Costa County on: 07/02/2024 by Deputy Clerk Expires 07/01/2029 Brentwood Press No. 02-1273 Publish Dates: August 16, 23, 30, September 6, 2024
FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT
File No. F-2024-0003427 The name of the business(es): MELISSA’S GLOW ALCHEMY Located at: 160 SUNSET DR #111 In: SAN RAMON CA 94583, is hereby registered by the following owner(s): CYNTHIA MELISSA GUERRERO. This business is conducted by: An Individual. The registrant commenced to transact business under the fictitious business name or names listed above on 06/01/2024. Signature of registrant: Cynthia Guerrero, Individual. This statement was filed with the County Clerk of Contra Costa County on: 06/25/2024 by Deputy Clerk Expires 06/24/2029 Brentwood Press No. 02-1273
Publish Dates: August 16, 23, 30, September 6, 2024
SUMMONS (CITACION JUDICIAL) C24-00487 NOTICE TO DEFENDANT: (Aviso al Demandado): CHEYO APPEL; GAVIN EUGENE APPEL; and DOES 1 through 50, inclusive YOU ARE BEING SUED BY PLAINTIFF: (lo esta demandando el demandante) DOMA TITLE COMPANY OF CALIFORNIA, INC. NOTICE! You have been sued. The court may decide against you without your being heard unless you respond within 30 days. Read the information below. You have 30 CALENDAR DAYS after this summons and legal papers are served on you to file a written response at this court and have a copy served on the plaintiff. A letter or phone call will not protect you. Your written response must be in proper legal form if you want the court to hear your case. There may be a court form that you can use for your response. You can find these court forms and more information at the California Courts Online Self-Help Center (www.courtinfo.ca.gov/selfhelp), your county law library, or the courthouse nearest you. If you cannot pay the filing fee, ask the court clerk for a fee waiver form. If you do not file your response on time, you may lose the case by default, and your wages, money, and property may be taken without further warning from the court.
There are other legal requirements. You may want to call an attorney right away. If you do not know an attorney, you may want to call an attorney referral service. If you cannot afford an attorney, you may be eligible for free legal services from a nonprofit legal service program. You can locate these nonprofit groups at the California Legal Services Web Site (www.lawhelpcalifornia.org) the California Courts Online Self Help Center (www.courtinfo. ca.gov/selfhelp), or by contacting your local court or county bar association.
NOTE: The court has a statutory lien for waived fees and costs on any settlement or arbitration award of $10,000 or more in a civil case. The court’s lien must be paid before the court will dismiss the case. ¡AVISO! Lo han demandado. Si no responde dentro de 30 días, la corte puede decidir en su contra sin escuchar su versión. Lea la información a continuación
Tiene 30 DÍAS DE CALENDARIO después de que le entreguen esta citación y papeles legales para presentar una respuesta por escrito en esta corte y hacer que se entregue una copia al demandante. Una carta o una llamada telefónica no lo protegen. Su respuesta por escrito tiene que estar en formato legal correcto si desea que procesen su caso en la corte. Es posible que haya un formulario que usted pueda usar para su respuesta. Puede encontrar estos formularios de la corte y mas información en el Centro de Ayuda de las Cortes de California (www.sucorte. ca.gov), en la biblioteca de leyes de su condado o en la corte que le quede mas cerca. Si no puede pagar la cuota de presentación, pida al secretario de la corte que le de un formulario de exención de pago de cuotas. Si no presenta su respuesta a tiempo, puede perder el caso por incumplimiento y la corte le podrá quitar su sueldo, dinero y bienes sin mas advertencia. Hay otros requisitos legales. Es recomendable que llame a un abogado inmediatamente. Si no conoce a un abogado, puede llamar a un servicio de remisión a abogados. Si no puede pagar a un abogado, es posible que cumpla con los requisitos para obtener servicios legales gratuitos de un programa de servicios legales sin fines de lucro. Puede encontrar estos grupos sin fines de lucro en el sitio web de California Legal Services, (www. lawhelpcalifornia.org), en el Centro de Ayuda de las Cortes de California, (www.sucorte.ca.gov) o poniéndose en contacto con la corte o el colegio de abogados locales. AVISO: Por ley, la corte tiene derecho a reclamar las cuotas y los costas y los costos exentos por imponer un gravamen sobre cualquier recuperación de $10,000 o mas de valor recibida mediante un acuerdo o una concesión de arbitraje en un caso de derecho civil. Tiene que pagar el gravamen de la corte antes de que la corte pueda desechar el caso. The name and address of the court is: (El nombre y direccion de la corte es): CONTRA COSTA SUPERIOR COURT 725 COURT STREET, MARTINEZ, CA 94553 The name, address, and telephone number of plaintiff’s attorney, or plaintiff without an attorney is: (El nombre, la direccion y el numero de telefono del abogado
How actor Matthew Perry’s death highlights Ketamine’s ill effects
You may have noticed lately that there has been an increase in interest in Ketamine, especially in relation to the death of celebrity Matthew Perry. Until this happened, we hadn’t heard very much about this drug. Would it surprise you to learn that Ketamine has been around since the 1960s initially used to anesthetize animals and then approved by the Food and Drug Administration for anesthesia in humans in 1970, according to FDA.gov?
Ketamine was used in the Vietnam war to treat injured soldiers on the battlefield because it provided quick pain relief/ anesthesia that allowed field medics to treat severe injuries immediately. On the other hand, Ketamine has been used illegally as a party drug, it’s used as a hallucinogen that gives the user a feeling of euphoria, a dream-like state or a disconnection from reality. Ketamine recreationally is also known as “special K’ or “simply k”, according to Justice.gov.
So, what is Ketamine? Ketamine in its intended use is an FDA-approved “dissociative” drug used in surgery to induce and maintain anesthesia. Dissociative is another way to say it makes the patient feel like they are in a “trance-like state” or “separated
Vendors from page 1A
from reality” at the same time Ketamine provides pain relief and sedation.
Of course, there are other anesthetics that can be used, but Ketamine is sometimes preferred by doctors in instances where a patient may be in shock due to a traumatic injury, short-term procedures when muscle relaxation is not required like suturing cuts. It is also sometimes a preferred anesthesia for children and for people with respiratory or airway diseases because of lessened adverse respiratory side effects. Ketamine, in essence, is fast acting with a shorter duration that doesn’t have a substantial effect on breathing and heart function like other anesthetics.
Interestingly, prior to Ketamine, PCP was created and approved by the FDA for
low businesses that do not fit the “cookie cutter box” that will be established by the broader ordinance the City Council is set to discuss. The permits would not be as extensive and would be subject to review on an annual basis.
One resident, identified only as Perez by city staff, who spoke during the public comment portion of the meeting is the owner and operator of a food truck who encouraged the Planning Commission to recommend to Council the temporary use permit.
“This food truck, it was my dream,” she said. “It’s
Arrested
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“We want to send a clear message to those considering stealing in our city,” Brentwood police said in social media post. “We work closely with our businesses and their loss prevention teams to prevent thefts and hold thieves accountable. Whether it’s a plainclothes detective nearby or loss prevention monitoring through video surveillance, we are vigilantly protecting our community.”
anesthesia, and also was used recreationally as a party drug of choice. But in the medical field, it was discontinued for use in humans due to the extreme side effects that included acute anxiety, violent hostility, suicidal tendencies and psychosis, to name a few, according to Justice.gov.
Coincidently recreational users liked PCP because of the mind-altering and hallucinogenic effects it produces, according to that website.
According to Medical Journal of Public Health there is an increase in availability and recreational usage of Ketamine but it is still rare, used in less than 1% of Americans. Ketamine is usually obtained illegally from Veterinarian clinics, obtained illegally by unethical
not easy. We have to go through California state codes. We have to follow not only California’s state codes, we have to follow also the county.”
Perez enumerated more regulations that are placed on mobile vendors, such as insurance requirements and health department codes that already dictate how her business is run before city codes factor into the equation.
“I’m asking you to give me the opportunity,” she concluded.
Following the recommendation from the Planning Commission, the City Council is expected to discuss the ordinance at their next meeting on Sept. 10.
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week; this was increased to five times per week in 2020 with City Council’s approval.
The additional space requested in the amendment, which according to a picture in Gorman’s presentation was formerly occupied by Tailored Dog Training, is planned to be used for storage and potentially extra operating space if required in the future.
The city planning staff found that the new floorplan was consistent with the initial approval of the hall by the City Council, and that it would ensure that Daub 4 Kids has the space to operate for years. The expansion project was also found to be exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) due to not counting as a “significant expansion of the primary land use.”
The staff recommended that the Planning Commission adopt a resolution approving the permit amendment. After assurances that Daub 4 Kids is and will continue to be compliant with fire and health department regulations, the motion to approve passed unanimously.
prescribing doctors for financial gain or smuggled into the U.S. from other countries therefore it is not readily available like other recreational drugs.
There has been increased interest in Ketamine lately as an agent for the treatment of pain and treatment-resistant depression. In both instances these uses have not been approved by the FDA.
Negative side effects of ketamine include complete sensory detachment likened to near-death experience, user may feel like they are frozen and immobile and sometimes it may cause psychosis, according to drugfree.org and DEA.gov.
Depending on the dosage ingested, how its ingested and the physical makeup of the user, experiences described may be different. Abuse of this substance may lead to physical or psychological dependence.
In conclusion, Ketamine is a controlled substance, specifically it is a Schedule III drug, it is never to be used outside of a hospital, and it should be administered only by a licensed physician in controlled doses and in a controlled environment.
For more information see Drugfree. org, FDA.gov. If you or anyone you know is suffering with drug addiction/abuse, call 988 Crisis Lifeline.
Editor’s note: Sheri Griffiths is a local registered nurse with 25 years of experience in her field. Her columns are meant to explore medical topics from an educational perspective.
Other topics discussed include:
The 5-0 approval of a permit that would allow Boat Pros, located at 8130 Brentwood Blvd, to establish a 2,000-square-foot maintenance and warranty service area within the existing showroom. The applicant noted to the council that the closest place that local boat owners can have work done on their vessels is in Modesto.
The 5-0 approval of a proposal for a 4,300-squarefoot facility at 470 Harvest Park Drive that would be used for STUNT cheerleading, tumble and other gymnastic classes put on by Athletic Edge, a local business.
The full meeting can be watched at https://bit.ly/47aiyVD
In other action:
• The next Heart of Oakley Festival will be held at the Oakley Civic Center from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. on Sept. 21. Heart of Oakley is an open-air makers’ market that serves to bring together local families and highlight Oakley businesses, according to its website.
• The Oakley Building Department hired a new senior slanner on Aug. 12, Jose Cortez. Cortez previously worked for the cities of Benicia, Napa, and Antioch, and is especially interested in working on housing projects. In addition, the Community Development Department has hired two building inspectors – Angel Garcia Martinez and Francisco Martinez – who began working on Aug. 19 and 26, respectively.
• The Friends of the Marsh Creek Watershed will be holding their next event on Nov. 19. The organization, active since 2004, exists to bring awareness to the importance of preserving and restoring the vitality of Marsh Creek and its environs, home to many species of native wildlife. The Creek and its watershed are important sources of water and recreation.
Nurses’ CorNer
sheri Griffiths
Two charged with murder in fatal shooting of Antioch man on Aug. 16
Marlen C. Rosales, CPA:
has 39 years of experience and is a service-oriented, client-focused business that will exceed your expectations!
Two people have been charged in the shooting death of a 47-year-old Antioch man on Aug. 16. Efren Reynoso, 47, was fatally shot that morning the area of E. 8th Street and A Street. With help from Stockton police, Antioch police arrested Elijah Birba, 21, and Christopher Paez Jr., 23, on Aug. 27 and both have been charged with murder with a Special Allegation – Personal and Intentional Discharge of a Firearm Causing Death, according to an Antioch police press release.
The charge stems from the incident on Aug.
“I diligently accomplish client projects as if they were my own,” Marlen said. “I also take great pride in the results and the way I serve my clients, working towards bringing about their peace of mind. I am driven and strive to excel and to achieve my goal of helping to make accounting and taxes less stressful and more worry free.”
16 at 7:26 a.m., when Antioch police responded to the area of E. 8th Street and A Street on the report of a welfare check after a caller reported hearing gunshots there earlier in the morning and suspected a neighbor may have been shot. When officers arrived, they found Reynoso inside of a residence on E. 8th Street suffering from a fatal gunshot wound.
Any tips or other information can be directed to Antioch Police Detective Becerra at 925-7796937 or by email abecerra@antiochca.gov.
Marlen C. Rosales, CPA is a member of The Better Business Bureau and is located at 9040 Brentwood Blvd., Ste. C, Brentwood CA, 94513. To schedule a free 15-minute introduction or a free, no-obligation quote. Call 925-392-8047 or email marlen@rosales-cpa.com www.rosales-cpa.com
MARLEN C. ROSALES, CPA
Photo by Andrew Rulloda
6 signs you may need a new HVAC system
There’s no place like home, especially when that home is a comfortable and safe haven. One of the ways residents find comfort in their homes is by maintaining the right indoor temperatures, which fluctuate along with the seasons. While there is much to be said about opening windows and doors to let Mother Nature do her thing, indoor comfort is often maintained with an HVAC system.
As with any mechanical device, an HVAC system has a life span that must be considered. Should any of the following conditions be present, it is likely time to consult with an HVAC technician to see if
repairs or replacement of the entire system is warranted.
1. Age
If the HVAC system is more than 10 years old, it could be time to begin budgeting for a new unit. Many modern,
Heating, ventilation and air-condiitiong systems are vital to keeping indoor environments comfortable and safe. Such systems may exhibit certain signs that indicate they need to be replaced.
efficient systems may last 12 to 14 years with routine maintenance. But it’s good to keep an HVAC system’s age in mind so you can readily recognize when it might start to fail.
2. Longer or constant running times
An efficient, properly working system will quickly heat or cool the home and then turn off. A system that is turning on repeatedly or having to run for awhile before the set temperature is reached could be nearing the end of its utility.
3. Strange noises
Groaning, banging or loud humming noises should be addressed. While these noises may indicate that certain components need maintenance or replacement, they also could be symptoms of age and a system nearing failure.
4. Frequent repair visits
Knowing the HVAC company’s repair person by name is a sign that the system has required too much work in recent months. Repeated issues and repairs are probably signs that it’s time to consider a system replacement.
5. Higher bills
Sticker shock when receiving electricity or gas bills likely mean the HVAC system isn’t working efficiently and might need to be replaced.
6.
Poor indoor air quality
If the home is dusty or humid, or even if allergies seem to have cropped up out of nowhere, this could indicate a poorly functioning HVAC system.
For more information call Fairview Heating & Air Cinditioning, Inc. at 100-A Brownstone Road, Oakley 925-625-4963. – Metro Creative
CONSTRUCTION
Bathroom and kitchen remodel? We can handle it from start to finish!
PLUMBING
Faucet, sink, toilet or drain problems? No problem!
ELECTRICAL
Need additional outlets, ceiling fans, sconces or recessed lighting? We do that, too!
PAINTING
Interior, exterior, fence or other structure that needs painting? We’ve got you covered!
MAINTENANCE
Gutter cleaning, pressure washing, fence repair, landscaping, hauling? We’ve got you covered!
s a mother of five and an accomplished business owner, Ona Hennessey has brought her passion for design and purpose to residential and commercial fencing to Brentwood.
Starting her business in 2006 in San Jose with the goal to be able to maintain her career while taking care of her children gave her the drive to create a business that can satisfy her desire to be an independent business woman and a mother.
“I started my business after having my fifth child, I started working and running the fencing company out of my home, giving me the freedom to be more available to my kids when they needed me,” she said.
Hennessey’s Fencing is now operated in part by other family members. “I have two of my kids that work with me, the kids’ dad and their uncle, so it is a familyoperated business,” she said.
we’ve done projects at The Streets of Brentwood, and recently Hennessey’s Fencing was also awarded a contract with Contra Costa County to conduct jobs throughout the county.” Hennessey said.
When it comes to working with their clients, she ensures they can expect a professional and personal experience during the consultation and implementation process.
Part of the Brentwood community since 2009, Hennessey’s Fencing has been creating new looks for many Brentwood properties, and has expanded its operations into other cities and counties, including all of Contra Costa and Santa Clara counties.
“We sometimes go beyond that depending on the services needed, but we are very diverse in the areas we serve,” she
said. “Brentwood has been a wonderful community, and we love to give back. Look out for us again this year at the Hometown Halloween parade on Saturday, Oct. 26 in downtown Brentwood.”
If you have done any shopping around Brentwood, you may have already seen Hennessey’s work. “Hennessey’s Fencing has done work at the Golden Hills Church,
“From start to finish, we go out to conduct free estimates,” she said. “If they decide to move forward, we provide the contracts and work with the neighbors until the completion of the project. It’s a pretty simple process; we have it dialed in. It’s always exciting when we are hired to do the whole house, it transforms your house completely if you can do your whole fence line at the same time.”
For more information and to get a free estimate and consultation, call 925-5166601 or visit www.hennesseysfencing.com. Hennessey’s Fencing encourages potential customers to get their consultations done before the rainy season to ensure that supply is available.
To view a video, visit www.thepress.net/ multimedia
ANDREW RULLODA
Submitted photo
Owner Ona Hennessey and her team.
Tips for preparing your pool for fall and winter
As summer is winding down and fall and winter approach, it is time to start thinking about preparing your pool for the changing season. According to Mike Logan of Logan Pools in Brentwood, winterizing a swimming pool in California is typically less intensive than in colder climates, such as the East Coast, due to milder winters. However it is essential to protect your pool during the off-season to prevent damage and maintain water quality.
There are certain things you can do to prepare your pool for the changing seasons and make reopening in the spring easier.
Here are some tips as you prepare to winterize your pool this year.
Clean the entire pool area
Empty the skimmer baskets and vacuum the pool. Brush the pool to remove and prevent any algae build up. It
is also a good idea to clean the jets. There are plenty of crevices where algae can grow. This will make reopening the pool in Spring easier.
Test the water
Leading pool products manufacturer Hayward recommends adjusting the pH to between 7.2 and 7.8 to prevent stains, scaling and algae growth. Alkalinity
should be 80 to 125 ppm for plaster/ gunite pools and 125 to 150 ppm for other pool types. Test the level of available chlorine, and super-chlorinate the pool to maintain a sanitation level of at least 4 ppm. Once the pool cover is on, the amount of chlorine that escapes due to sunlight and evaporation will decrease. An algaecide may be used, if desired, as well. In very cold climates, a pool-water antifreeze may be necessary. Check with your pool supply store for more information.
Balance pool water
After checking the pH, add the proper chemicals when necessary. It is a good idea to purchase your chemicals ahead of time, rather than waiting until the last minute, as some may be hard to find as summer dwindles down. Some items you will need include, sanitizer, algaecide and pH-balancing chemicals.
Clean the pool filter
Cleaning the filter is important to ensure that it will be able to continue to do it’s job properly. Run the filter at least 24 hours before disassembling the filter for the season. Make sure to run it after adding chemicals to help circulate them.
Drain the water to proper level
The pool water should be leveled just below the opening of the skimmer.
Shut off the filter pump, heater and any other equipment
Let all the water drain out and allow equipment to dry before storing them away. Follow the manufacturer’s directions for lubrication and covering. Install freeze plugs if you choose to use them.
Adjust electricity settings
Turn off the circuit to outdoor outlets that feed the pool equipment, testing to make sure the power is off.
Store pool accessories
Remove any ladders, diving boards, slides, external drain lines, and other recreational materials from the pool. Store them in a place where they will be protected from the winter weather, such as a garage or shed.
Cover
Be sure to cover up your pool with a pool cover to prevent unwanted items from falling in the water.
For more information go to www. loganpools.com or call Logan Polls at 925-513-9272.
– Metro Creative contributed to this article.
NICOLE BECCHINA
Photo courtesy of Metro Creative
There
number of steps
homeowners can take to properly prepare their swimming pools for the cooler months ahead.
Adam Martinez (with scissors) and his daughters cut the ribbon as city officials and friends look on during the ceremony celebrating 10 years in Brentwood.
by Andrew Rulloda
Handydads celebrates 10 years serving Brentwood
Handydads main office on Brentwood Boulevard.
Adam Martinez, owner of Handydads Construction, stood with his two daughters as they celebrated 10 years of business serving Brentwood and its residents with a recent ribbon-cutting ceremony.
“I started the company when I became a father for the first time,” Martinez said. “We’ve created something different that nobody else is doing in the industry. So far, it’s working, and we are looking into expanding the company.”
The ribbon cutting was held at the
Alongside Martinez’s friends and family were members of the Brentwood Rotary Club, and city leaders such as Mayor Joel Bryant who presented Martinez with a Certificate of Recognition for his success as a small business owner and service to his community.
“We want to continue working with the city, continue contributing to the Rotary Club, to continue to build and provide more jobs and expand it even further,” Martinez said.
He said his drive and love for his daughters inspired him to create a company that is focused on providing quality home repair and construction services from, painting, electrical, plumbing and many more at an affordable rate, customers can visit handydads.net to set up an appointment for consultation, or call 925-587-DADS (3237)
• We pride ourselves on high quality workmanship
• Family owned and operated by T. George Sanchez, a life long resident of Brentwood
• Fair prices, on time install & great customer service
ANDREW RULLODA
Photo
Rose and Sons Glass started in 1978 and we have been in the same location in Beautiful Downtown Brentwood.
Even when the sun isn’t very strong and the temperatures are cold, a lawn still needs water. That water requirement multiplies when higher temperatures lead to increased evaporation.
The experts at LawnLove.com, a lawn care and landscaping resource, say grass needs between 1 and 1 1/2 inches of water a week. Many times, precipitation will take care of all of a lawn’s water needs. But in times of drought or infrequent rain, it’s up to homeowners to provide the water a lawn requires.
If homeowners ask a dozen lawn experts what they recommend in terms of watering, they’re likely to offer 12 different answers. The type of soil and grass affects how frequently a lawn needs to be watered. According to the lawn care company Organo Lawn, it’s better to do a deep watering two or three times a week to promote strong grass roots and maintain a healthy microbial composition in soil than to water the lawn daily, which leads to shallow roots and can wash away nutrients. But it is important for homeowners to recog-
nize when their lawns are not getting ample water. Here are some signs a lawn needs a drink.
♦ Visible footprints: Elasticity of the grass blades decreases when the lawn is not getting enough water. If you walk on the lawn and footprints do not bounce back in a short amount of time, you likely need to water.
♦ Gaps between lawn and sidewalk: Lawn Pride says that the soil can shrink in drought conditions. This may be visible where the lawn abuts a driveway, sidewalk or even planting beds. If you walk along the perimeter of a lawn and notice a gap between the grass and hardscape, it is time to water.
♦ Clumps of grass: It is a sign of drought stress when grass grows in clumps rather than uniformly across a lawn.
♦ Presence of dollar spot fungus: Grass can become susceptible to this fungus, which also is called ascochyta leaf blight. It only develops in lawns with shallow grass roots caused by improper lawn watering. It’s common in parts of Colorado and elsewhere and is noticeable when damage to the turf begins in the middle of the grass foliage.
♦ Slow growth: A lawn that doesn’t seem to be growing well, or doesn’t need to be mowed as frequently, likely isn’t getting enough water.
– Courtesy of Metro Creative
Maintaining a lawn routinely roamed by pets
While many treatments can be applied to lawns to help them thrive, animal waste is not among them. Pet owners who aspire to have beautiful lawns will have to take a few extra steps to ensure lawns can persevere despite the presence of furry companions.
Reseed with a damage-resistant grass
There are many different types of grass, and some are more resilient than others. Tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, and Bermuda grass are just some of the grass varieties that can capably handle pet traffic. If replacing the entire lawn is not possible, consider reseeding or addressing the areas that pets frequent.
Strengthen the root system
According to The Home Depot, letting the lawn grow to at least three inches will help keep moisture in the soil and prevent evaporation. That moisture will strengthen the roots, creating a healthier lawn for pets and people.
Set boundaries
Pet urine contains high levels of nitrogen, which can burn grass and turn it brown. You can’t water down urine or pick up solid waste immediately every time a pet goes outdoors, so designate a petfriendly spot for potty time. Use fencing or a dog run to separate this area and help reduce the number of “land mines” all over the lawn. Fencing also can keep pets out of vegetable gardens and away from potentially toxic plants.
Avoid chemical lawn treatments
When pets use the yard and rest on the lawn, eliminate products that can be harmful to them. Choose all-natural fertilizers and weed and pest preventatives.
End of Summer Sale
Photo courtesy of Metro Creative
These renovations can help sell homes
The adage “there’s a lid for every pot” suggests that, even in relation to the real estate market, there’s bound to be a buyer for every home on the market. Price is a significant variable in the minds of potential buyers, but there are additional factors that can affect the impression people get of a given home.
Certain home features can tip the scales in favor of sellers. In fact, various renovations can help sell homes more readily. And these renovations need not cost a fortune. Putting a home on the market can be stressful, but these renovations may help it sell fast.
A fresh coat of paint
Although painting is relatively inexpensive and a job that some do-it-yourselfers can tackle, it’s not a task relished by many. Painting is messy, it takes time, and requires moving furniture. In fact, prepping a room for painting often is the toughest component of any painting job. But fresh coats of paint can create a strong first impression. Choose a neutral color and get painting. Jennie Norris, chairwoman for the International Association of Home Staging Professionals, says gray is a “safe” color that has been trending in recent years.
Minor bathroom remodel
surround, floor, toilet, sink, vanity, and fixtures can cost roughly $10,500, says HGTV. You’ll recoup an average of $10,700 at resale, making a minor bathroom remodel a potentially worthy investment.
Redone kitchen
The kitchen tends to be the hub of a home. This room gets the most usage and attention of any space, and it’s a great place to focus your remodeling attention. The National Association of the Remodeling Industry estimates that homeowners can recover up to 52 percent of the cost of a kitchen upgrade upon selling a home. Buyers want a functional and updated kitchen. Trending features include drawer-style microwaves and dishwashers, commercial ranges, hidden outlets, and even wine refrigerators.
Updated heating and cooling system
Better Homes and Gardens reports that homeowners may be able to recoup 85 percent of the cost of new heating, venting and air-conditioning systems when they sell their homes. Heating, cooling and ventilation components are vital to maintain. You don’t want buyers to be taken aback by an older system, and many millennial buyers are not willing to overlook old mechanical systems.
Fresh landscaping
Remove dated wall coverings, replace fixtures, consider re-glazing or replacing an old tub, and swap old shower doors for fast fixes in a bathroom. If there’s more room in the budget, replacing a tub, tile
A home’s exterior is the first thing buyers will see. If they pull up to a home with eye-catching landscaping and outdoor areas that are attractive yet functional, they’re more likely to be intrigued. Often, buyers will equate a home that features an impressive exterior with upkeep inside as well. The American Nursery Landscape Association says the average homeowner may spend $3,500 for landscaping.
– Courtesy of Metro Creative
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remote that privacy isn’t an
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Fencing or planting?
Most homeowners looking to create more privacy on their property will have to choose between fencing and planting. Fencing provides immediate privacy because, once it’s installed, no one can see into the yard. Fencing also doesn’t require
Photo courtesy of Metro Creative
watering or other immediate upkeep, which will be necessary when planting to ensure tree roots can establish themselves.
But planting has its benefits as well. Planting for privacy is essentially creating a living fence that can grow over time and provide even more privacy as trees reach maturity. Plants also tend to be less costly than fencing. The home renovation experts at BobVila.com estimate that fencing projects typically cost between $1,667 and $4,075. However, fencing projects can cost considerably more than $4,000, especially for homeowners with large properties they want to enclose. Large, mature trees can be expensive, though it’s unlikely they will cost as much as fencing. In addition, fencing requires more maintenance and will potentially need to be replaced, while native trees won’t require much upkeep and can last for generations.
Planting
Homeowners who choose to plant for privacy will next have to decide which type of plants to add to their properties. Evergreens provide year-round privacy because they don’t shed their leaves, so these are the ones most often chosen when creating a living fence. A number of varieties of evergreen trees can do the job, but it’s important that homeowners consult with a landscape architect prior to choosing trees so they can ensure the trees will thrive when faced with the growing
conditions on their properties. During such a consultation, homeowners may discuss the following popular privacy trees.
♦ Leyland cypress: The Arbor Day Foundation (ADF) notes that the Leyland cypress is popular for hedges and boundaries, likely because a typical tree reaches a mature height of 60-70 feet and can spread as wide as 25 feet. The Leyland cypress grows fast, which may appeal to homeowners who don’t want to wait to establish privacy.
♦ Green Giant Arborvitae: There are different varieties of the arborvitae, but the Green Giant tends to be the go-to option for privacy. The ADF notes that Green Giants will grow up to three feet per year until they reach maturity, providing a fast-growing option for privacy planters. The Green Giant can spread as wide as 20 feet at maturity, which is another attribute that makes it so popular among homeowners desiring privacy.
♦ Eastern White Pine: The ADF notes that the eastern white pine, which can reach heights as high as 80 feet, is favored in spacious yards. That’s likely due to its height and its potential spread, which can reach 40 feet. Homeowners who choose the eastern white pine might like it for its resemblance to a Christmas tree, and in fact it is widely used for that purpose. The privacy provided by the eastern white pine is significant, but it might be best suited to especially large properties.
–Metro Creative.
