The Press 12.16.2022

New faces to lead Brentwood

City Council roster changes at Dec. 13 meeting

ByJake Menez Staff Writer

BRENTWOOD The Brentwood City Council introduced personnel changes during the Dec. 13 meeting as Vice Mayor Johnny Rodriguez and Councilmember Karen Rarey stepped down to make room for new members Patanisha Davis Pierson and Tony Oerlemans.

Additionally, Councilmember Susannah Meyer was unanimously appointed to be the new vice mayor.

They accomplished this during the first time the council had gathered in person with the public since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. “It’s good to be back,” was a sentiment expressed by numerous people in council chambers.

The transition from the 2020/’22 council into the 2022/’24 began with the former unanimously voting to certify the results of the November election that saw Pierson and Oerlemans elected to represent districts 2 and 4 respectively.

“I would just like to congratulate our newest council members,” Rarey said. “You guys ran a great race, and you guys are in for a whirlwind.”

Following the certification of the

Oakley names new mayor

By Chris Campos Staff Writer

OAKLEY The city appointed a new mayor, Aaron Meadows, and welcomed two new City Council members Suzanne Shaw and Hugh Henderson on Tuesday night.

As the new wave arrived, the City Council and staff also hailed the long service of outgoing Randy Pope and former mayor Sue Higgins with praise, gifts, proclamations and a tear or two.

The 12 years that the two council colleagues worked together saw a long list of changes in the city.

Pope, a police officer with the

Deputies to get body cameras

by Chris Campos Staff Writer

MARTINEZ The Contra Costa Sheriff’s Department will join most other local law enforcement agencies in purchasing body cameras for its deputies after approval from the Board of Supervisors for a $12.5 million contract with Axon Enterprise, Inc.

The contract covers body-worn cameras, incar camera systems, storage and software from Jan. 1, 2023 to Dec. 31, 2032. The funding came from the county’s Measure X tax program.

According to a staff report, the total cost of agreement is $12,503,168; with an annual cost of $1.2 million. By entering into a 10-year agreement, the Office of the Sheriff will be saving $5 million over the term of the agreement.The Board of Supervisors has approved an allocation of Measure X funding for this program in the amount of $1.3 million annually through June 30, 2024.

Contra Costa Sheriff David Livingston said Monday:“For over five years, I have been asking the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors for funding to equip all of my deputy sheriffs with body-worn cameras. The Board finally provided funding recently through Measure X, the county’s half-cent sales tax measure. I am proud to say we expect the Sheriff’s Office body-worn camera program will be fully implemented in the coming months. In addition, our vehicles will be outfitted with in-car video cameras. Our goals are greater transparency, increasing the public’s safety, and increasing officer safety. Cameras help with all of those important goals.”

The Office of the Sheriff will be requesting continued Measure X funding later. If the Board of Supervisors does not approve continued funding, the Office of the Sheriff will attempt to identify other funding sources.

Patanisha Davis Pierson (second from left) and Tony Oerlemans (second from right) were welcomed to the city council as part of the Dec. 13 meeting.

Photo by Greg Robinson

see Brentwood page 18A

Incoming mayor Aaron Meadows and Vice Mayor Anissa Williams took the oath of office at the Dec. 13 meeting.

Photo by Chris Campos

Author’s newest book highlights the importance of hygiene

By Sean Tongson Correspondent

OAKLEY Local author J. Kymberly Cloud uses words to paint a message for children: Wash your hands.

Cloud passionately describes writing as something that allows one to express their deepest thoughts, feelings, and emotions. But the author says writing is much more than that, referring to it as a powerful tool that is able to provoke emotions, trigger memories, convey information and more.

“Writing just blows my mind,” said Cloud of Oakley. “Everything has to be written. Every movie you’ve ever seen was written. That is all that we see in peoples’ heads. It is amazing that people can be all these amazing things. It all comes from a thought. It comes from writers.”

It was this very passion and love for writing and being a first-time mother that inspired Cloud to write a children’s book on an ever-present and important subject; hand washing. Her first book, “The

Adventures of Blu Pigtails: The Invisible Germ Bug,” discusses hand washing and conveys its importance to where it is easy to understand for young children.

“I want to present hand washing in a way that younger children can understand and a way that makes it easier for parents to teach,” said Cloud. “It’s about the importance of hand washing for little ones; even when their hands don’t look dirty. It was easy to tell my daughter to wash her hands if she was eating ice cream and it was dripping down

her hands. She didn’t, however, understand the need to wash them when they ‘looked’ clean.”

Published on June 30 by Fulton Books, the book comes at a time where the importance of hand washing and hygiene are accentuated due to the COVID-19 pandemic, although Cloud said she started writing this book even before the pandemic.

“I actually started writing the book pre-COVID,” said Cloud. “I work at an infusion center, and we see a lot of immuno-compromised, cancer, and chemotherapy patients. I know firsthand the importance of hand hygiene and hand washing is the number one way to help keep our patients safe. You can save lives.”

Cloud says the process of writing the book was inspired by her experiences working in health care and being a mother to convey and put her feelings into writing, adding that every character in her book is someone that she knows. In contrast however, Cloud says the most difficult part was waiting for her work to be published.

“My niece is the illustrator; watching her turn my words into pictures has been amazing,” said Cloud. “The hardest part was wanting the book in my hands. Most people don’t realize that from start to finish, it can easily take up to a year for publication.”

Cloud says that “The Adventures of Blu Pigtails” is actually a series. Next will be “The Adventures of Blu Pigtails: The Case of the Missing Tooth,” which has recently been completed. What does she hope to accomplish with her book series? Cloud said that she hopes her books will create something that will stick with readers while also sending an important message.

“I hope that this little book with big meaning makes it easier for parents to help their children learn good hand hygiene,” said Cloud. “Getting kids to wash their hands at a young age is important, so hopefully it becomes a good habit. Not only are they protecting themselves but they are protecting others even if they don’t know it. Right now, there are two books, but we’ll see how far it goes.”

Cloud also advises aspiring writers who may dream of writing a book or getting something published is just to start.

“Even if it’s a little bit here and there; just write,” said Cloud. “Second, don’t wait on someone to ‘want’ your story. Do your research. There are many ways to get your book out yourself. Be patient and give yourself grace. Don’t give up, or for sure your book will never be published!”

More information on The Adventures of Blu Pigtails can be found at https://bit.ly/3W1Y7ns

The Adventures of Blu Pigtails can be purchased at https://bit.ly/3W00gQj

CLOUD

3 trustees join Byron school district board

By Dawnmarie Fehr Correspondent

Byron Union School District welcomed three new trustees to its school board this week during its regular meeting on Dec. 15. One topic they will explore is whether or not to go solar.

The three members were sworn in and took their seats immediately. Jessica Bane, Lucy Rodriguez and Claudia RodriguezCantwell were the only three applicants for three open seats on the board and, therefore, did not have to appear on a ballot.

Superintendent Crystal Castaneda said the new board – complete with five members for the first time in recent history – will be able to get right to work.

“I’ve had a chance to meet with each of them. They are lovely and excited to serve the community,” she said of Bane, Rodriguez and Rodriguez-Cantwell. “I look forward to bringing them on and working with them.”

One topic the new board will explore is the possibility of bringing solar power to the district. The district spent $4,992 to hire Russell Driver, an outside energy consultant from ARC Alternatives, to offer possible routes for the district to build, use and sell solar energy.

“Many districts have gone in that direction, so we are working with the energy consultant to give us the best plan for Byron,” said Castaneda. “There will be a vote coming up for that early next year before the NEM (Net Energy Metering) rates change. We are looking at capitalizing our savings with that.”

Once it has heard the recommendations from the energy consultant, the board will make a decision focused on financial savings and making the district more environmentally friendly. Castaneda noted that could include purchasing or leasing equipment.

“The potential savings is great over time,” she added. “We could save thousands that turn into hundreds of thousands over the course of time.”

Castaneda came to Byron from Canyons School District, where she served as both principal and superintendent. Before Canyons, she spent time in the classroom,

worked as a principal in Martinez, and was the director of educational services in the Oakley Elementary Unified School District.

Castaneda has been with the district since August of this year and is working to create a unified environment between staff, students and families.

One thing she has done is declare the three schools in the district as “purple schools” as described in Kristen Bell and Benjamin Hart’s children’s book “The World Needs More Purple People.” In the book, Penny Purple teaches kids to celebrate their own uniqueness while finding common ground with others.

When Castaneda came on campus and saw teachers wearing red shirts and classified employees wearing blue, she knew she needed to mix things up literally and metaphorically.

“The book talks about how the world needs more purple people and purple schools, where we come together to make the world a better place and ask questions and make others feel included,” she said, adding she is working to get Bell to come for a book signing.

To move her plan forward, Castaneda worked with the Discovery Bay Community Foundation to pay for purple shirts for all staff and teachers.

“When Crystal and I discussed purchasing purple shirts for all the teachers and staff to wear on Wednesdays to show unity, it was a great idea and something that has been needed,” said foundation spokesperson Jim Mattison. “We went ahead and purchased

180 shirts, and we just delivered them to each school a few weeks ago.”

The foundation has a long history of involvement in local schools, and recently donated basketballs, soccer balls, kickballs and pumps for students to use, and “slow down” signs and safety cones to keep kids safe during drop-off and pick-up times.

Mattison said his organization also funded an active-shooter information program to ensure all teachers and staff know what to do in case of an emergency.

“We are also working with the district with ongoing mental health programs for our teachers, parents, and students,” Mattison said. “Our partnership with BUSD is strong and we are glad to help whenever we can.”

As the district begins to wrap up the semester before winter break, Castaneda said she feels good about her new home.

“This is a warm and welcoming community,” she said. “We have a lot of new people on our team in the district office … all this new energy that has complemented our veteran staff, and I think this synergy is really exciting. I love being in a small school district where you get to know everyone, it’s easy to have personal conversations and get to the heart of a matter quickly. It’s going really well, and I’m truly honored to be here.”

For more information on the school district,, visit www.byronunionschooldistrict.us or follow them on Facebook.

To view the most recent newsletter, visit www.smore.com/6cgp0

Byron Union School District Superintendent Crystal Castoneda and Discovery Bay Community Foundation President Jim Mattison.

Photo courtesy of Jim Mattison

Lions Club poster contest winners announced

and Golden Hills schools.

By Dawnmarie Fehr Correspondent

Three Local Lions Clubs banded together to host the recent Lions Club International Peace Poster contest for area youth.

The Byron Delta Lions Club, the Discovery Bay Lions Club and the Brentwood Lions Club joined forces with Excelsior Middle School, Edna Hill Middle School, Adams Middle School and Golden Hills Christian School to sponsor the art contest for students ages 11 through 13.

Though the contest is 30 years old, this was the first year the Brentwood Lions had participated. Jinni Ciruli chaired the event for the Brentwood club, and said she hopes to expand it next year to include more local middle schools. This year, 156 posters – 97 from Excelsior and 59 from the three Brentwood schools –were submitted, organizers said.

Local Club Level Peace Poster winners are:

• Zoe Lin, Byron Delta Lions Club, Excelsior Middle School level.

• Zoe Hartnett, Discovery Bay Lions Club, Excelsior Middle School

• Reece Gale, Brentwood Lions Club, Edna Hill Middle School

• Cherry Chou, Brentwood Lions Club, Adams Middle School

• Samuel Alvarez, Brentwood Lions Club, Golden Hills Christian School

Each of the club level winners received $25, an Achievement Award Certificate,

and had their poster submitted to the district level contest. None of the local winners won at the district level, though Zoe Lin of Excelsior Middle School did place third in the district. District winners go on to compete at the state level, then the international level. First prize at the international level is $5,000 and a trip for four to the United Nations.

In addition to first place, each club named a second and third place winner, as well as three runners-up, allowing 30 students to be recognized across the four schools.

“Creating peace posters gives children everywhere the chance to express their visions of peace and inspire their community through art and creativity,” said Kathy Doty of the Byron Dela Lions Club. “This year’s theme was ‘Lead with Compassion.’”

More than 100 original posters were entered between the four schools, and each club chose a winner at the schools in their geographical area. The Byron Delta and Discovery Bay Lions both chose winners at Excelsior, while the Brentwood Lions chose winners at Edna Hill, Adams

“We really appreciate all the work the art teachers put into this,” Ciruli said. “It’s really neat, because you do things for the band and for the athletic groups, but the artists don’t get a lot of recognition, so this is a cool, unique thing for the future artists of the world. They may be the ones making the next Pixar movies. You never know.”

Doty said the art “is amazing; it’s unbelievable what students produce. They show the students’ thoughtfulness about world peace, they include flags and different cultures, and the kids are getting a broad picture. They learn about peace and get the idea of a broad picture in terms of world peace.”

Frances Shipilov, who chaired the contest for the Byron Lions, added that it’s a good opportunity for the students to expand their thinking.

“This is such a wonderful opportunity for these children to actually think about peace and what world peace means,” Shipilov said. “The winners also need to prepare a statement about what world peace means to them, giving them a chance to think globally and not just locally and express their vision of world peace on a stage and I really hope we have a huge turnout again next year.”

Lions Club International began the Peace Poster Contest 30 years ago, and accepts about 60,000 submissions each year. Local clubs order the kits early in the year and help to offset supply costs for schools by donating supplies and prizes. Judges are recruited from the community, and this year’s panel included judges from the Art Guild of the Delta.

For more information, visit www.lionsclubs.org/en

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

Brentwood Orthodontics

Creating Beautiful Smiles!

While both Cam and Leila are getting hyped for Christmas, I think Cam may be just a  bit more  excited.

Recognizing every patient as a unique individual, Brentwood Orthodontics works to deliver a personalized experience in orthodontic care that takes into account the needs of each patient, with options of traditional or Invisalign treatment. Dr. Tiffany, Dr. Brent and their amazing team are committed to creating a relaxing, stress-free, fun and rewarding visit for their patients. It’s never too late for the gift of a beautiful smile! For more information, call 925-308-7776 or visit www.brentwoodorthodontics.com

Excelsior Middle School winners Zoe Hartnett and Zoe Lin pose with art teacher Kathy Tickner. Zoe and Zoe were among the winners of the poster contest. This year’s theme was “lead with compassion.”

Photo by Dawnmarie Fehr

This year’s topic was ‘leading with compassion’

Photos by Andrew Rulloda

Calendar

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

Events

Friday, Dec. 16, Saturday, Dec. 17

Brentwood Regional Community Chest

The Brentwood Regional Community Chest will be packing food boxes in the Brentwood Elementary Cafeteria from 4-9 p.m. on Dec. 16. Food and toys will be distributed to families on Saturday, Dec.17 from 7:30 a.m.-noon. Bins and barrels are located throughout East County for non-perishable items and new toy drop-offs. For more information, visit http://www.brcchest.org/ Saturday, Dec.

17

A Christmas Musical Celebration

The Brentwood Community United Methodist Church is hosting a free musical celebration for the holidays from 6-8 p.m. at 809 2nd St. For more information, contact Jan Schults at menkesis@ yahoo.com or (925) 890-6296.

Wreaths Across America

The Byron Delta Lions Club is participating in the Wreaths Across America event. The public is invited to lay a provided wreath beginning at 9 a.m. at Union Cemetery at 11545 Brentwood Blvd. For more information, visit https://bit.ly/3WtxMyv

Cars ‘n Coffee

The Discovery Bay Corvette Club is hosting a Cars ‘n Coffee from 8 a.m.-noon in the parking lot by the Boardwalk Grill Restaurant located at 5879 Marina Road. They will be selling diecast cars for charity. For more information, visit https://bit. ly/3FIL7gG

Sunday, Dec. 18

Grand Community Chanukah Festival

Chabad of the Delta is hosting their Grand Community Chanukah Festival at 4:30 p.m in Brentwood City Park and will Acro, Fire & Sword Performer Juliano Wade, along with Giant Menorah lighting with dignitaries, Chanukah doughnuts, latkes, chocolate gelt along with chanukah crafts. For more information and to RSVP, visit JewishDelta.com/Chanukah.

Brentwood Community Chorus Winter Concert

The Brentwood Community Chorus is hosting their winter concert at the Brentwood Community Center at 2 p.m. Tickets are $10. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit https://bit.ly/3UAk6Aj

Monday, Dec. 19

Veterans in Person Services

The Contra Costa County Veterans Service Office will have accredited Veteran Service Representatives available to the public on the second floor of the Brentwood Library from 10 a.m.-3:45 p.m. Representatives can be met via appointment only, and they will assist you in securing veterans benefits. For more information, visit https://bit.ly/3V6QdId

Saturday, Dec.

24

Community Memorial Service in Remembrance of 250,000 Liberia’s war victims

The Coalition for Justice in Liberia is hosting a free event to pay tribute to victims of the civil wars in Liberia from 1989 to 2003. The event will take place at Agape International Ministries and Church in Antioch from 5:30-7 p.m. For more information, contact Lovetta at 925 727-8291.

Saturday, Dec. 31

Noon Year’s Eve

The Oakley Library is hosting a free New Year’s Eve puppet show from 10:45 a.m.-noon. The event will also feature crafts, a dance party and a balloon drop at noon. For more information, visit https://bit.ly/3WcC6BT

Ongoing Events

Liberty Adult Education Winter Course Catalog

Class registration is open for English Second Language, GED, Computer Technology and Community Interest Classes. Register online at www.libertyadulted.org, call the Adult Education office at 925-634-2565 or in person at the Adult Education office.

East County Rotary Club Meetings

Brentwood: The Brentwood Rotary Club meets weekly on Monday at noon at the Wedgewood Banquet Center at 100 Summerset Drive in Brentwood. For more information, visit https:// www.brentwoodrotary94513.com Oakley: The Oakley Rotary Club meets weekly on Thursday at 7:30 a.m. at Black Bear Diner, 3201 Main St. in Oakley. For more information, visit http:// rotaryclubofoakley.com Antioch: The Antioch Rotary Club meets weekly on Thursday at noon at Lone Tree Golf Course & Event Center, 4800 Golf Course Road in Antioch. For more information, visit http://www.antiochrotaryclub.com/ The Rotary Club of the Delta meets weekly on Wednesday at 7:00 a.m. at Denny’s, 4823 Lone Tree Way in Antioch. For more information, visit https://www.rotaryclubofthedelta.org/.

East County Lions Club Meetings

Brentwood: The Brentwood Lions Club meets the first Wednesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. at Straw Hat Pizza on Lone Tree Way. For more information, visit: https://e-clubhouse.org/sites/ brentwoodca/ Oakley: The Oakley Lions Club meets the fourth Wednesdays of every month at 7 p.m. at the Oakley Senior Center, for more information, visit https://e-clubhouse.org/sites/ brentwoodca/ Antioch: The Antioch Lions Club meets every second and fourth Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the Denny’s on Delta Fair Blvd. Discovery Bay: The Discovery Bay Lions Club meets the first Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at the Discovery Bay Yacht Club. For more information, visit:https://discoverybaylions. com/who-we-are/meetings/ Byron: The Byron Delta Lions Club meets every first Friday of each month at 10:00 a.m. at St. Anne’s Church for more information https://e-clubhouse.org/sites/ byron_delta/

Oakley Senior Center Food Distribution

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

ACA Women’s Group

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

Nonprofit offers Health Care Career Courses

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

Discovery Bay Corvette Club Meetings

The nonprofit Discovery Bay Corvette Club meets on the first Thursday of each month at 7:30 p.m. at the Discovery Bay Yacht Club, 5871 Marina Road, Bilge Room. The club is dedicated to the enjoyment of owning and driving

Looking for more things to do?

www.thepress.net/ calendar

America’s sports car. For more information, drop by a meeting or contact the membership vice president at 925-341-9433. For more information on the club, visit www.discoverybaycorvetteclub.com

California Striped Bass Association West Delta Chapter Meeting

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

Marine Corps League, Delta Diablo Detachment 1155, monthly meeting

The Marine Corps League, Delta Diablo Detachment 1155, hosts its monthly meeting on the third Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at the Brentwood Veterans Memorial Building, 757 First St., in Brentwood. The group is open to all active or retired U.S. Marines. Attendees are encouraged to bring a veteran friend, and spouses are always welcome. The meetings feature camaraderie, food, drink, conversation and updates on upcoming events. For more information, call 925-338-1775, email MCL1155@outlook. com or visit https://www.mcl1155.org/

Applications accepted for Administrative Careers Training

The nonprofit Opportunity Junction is accepting applications for its administrative careers training program. Classes are taught via Zoom. The intensive training is 12 weeks, followed by up to four months of paid internship. Participants will learn life and business skills, and can earn their Microsoft Office Skills certificate. For more information, visit https://www.opportunityjunction. org/program-application

Widow and Widower Grief Support Group

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

Friday Night Al-Anon Meeting

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

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

Community Resource Classes The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is hosting non-denominational community resource classes at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 2350 Jeffery Way in Brentwood. The free, 10-week courses will touch on personal finance, starting and growing your own business, emotional resilience, English as a second language, finding a better job and life skills. These are 10-week courses that meet once per week. To register or for more information, visit https:// linktr.ee/antiochSR

Muslims ‘appreciate’ the holiday season, too

Editor,

As your Muslim neighbor, I admittedly do not celebrate Christmas. However, that doesn’t stop me or my family from appreciating this beautiful season filled with love, charity, and joy.

Being born and raised in America, it’s really easy to focus on all of our differences. But as an Ahmadi Muslim, my religion has taught me to focus on how we are similar rather than different, because, in the end, we are all human.

For instance, Muslims do not celebrate Christmas because first, we do not celebrate birthdays, and second, we believe Prophet Jesus (peace be on him) was born in the

Letters to the editor

spring months rather than in the winter.

However, that doesn’t mean we do not have the utmost respect for him. Prophet Jesus is mentioned 25 times in the Holy Quran, which is more than Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be on him) is mentioned.

Also, a whole chapter of the Holy Quran is dedicated solely to the mother of Jesus, Mary (Maryam in Arabic), and all things pertaining to her life, including the virgin conception.

Also, while many of us give to charity throughout the year, we see an increase in charity during December. The same can be said for Muslims during the month of Ramadan. Muslims increase charity efforts while fasting during Ramadan to help those in need.

We do not have to have the same faith to spread love and peace throughout the world. Happy Holidays to my neighbors of all faiths. May the season bring you and your family good health and happiness.

Faiza Ahmed

Pittsburg

Letter writer wrong about what killed George Floyd

Editor:

This is in response to James Potter’s letter regarding George Floyd’s death. Potter’s assertion that “the autopsy report on Floyd showed no indication that Floyd died as a result of Chauvin’s knee being placed on Floyd’s neck.” This is just not true.

The Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s office ruled Floyd’s death was

a homicide caused by “cardiopulmonary arrest” complicated by “restraint and neck compression” while being subdued by police.

Similarly, an independent autopsy commissioned by Floyd’s family ruled “asphyxiation from sustained pressure was the cause of Floyd’s death.”

A toxicology report stated that Floyd had fentanyl in his system. However, experts agree it was not enough to be considered fatal. As a jury of his peers concluded Derek Chauvin did kill George Floyd, and Floyd did not die from a lethal dose of fentanyl.

Sometimes you have to fact-check the things you read on the internet.

Joe Trebino Brentwood

LETTERS POLICY

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

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

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

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

City of Brentwood City Manager and City Council City Hall

150 City Park Way Brentwood, CA 94513

Phone: 925-516-5440 www.brentwoodca.gov

City of Antioch City Manager and City Council City Hall 3rd and H streets Antioch, CA 94509 Phone: 925-779-7000 www.ci.antioch.ca.us

City of Oakley City Manager and City Council City Hall 3231 Main St. Oakley, CA 94561 Phone: 925-625-7000 www.ci.oakley.ca.us

Town of Discovery Bay Town Manager and Community Services District 1800 Willow Lake Road Discovery Bay, CA 94505 Phone: 925-634-1131 www.todb.ca.gov

County Supervisor, Dist. III Diane Burgis 3361 Walnut Blvd., Suite 140 Brentwood, CA 94513 Phone: 925-252-4500 Fax: 925-240-7261 dist3@bos.cccounty.us

GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS

County Supervisor, Dist. V Federal D. Glover 190 E 4th St. Pittsburg, CA 94565 Phone: 925-608-4200 Fax: 925-427-8142 district5@bos.cccounty.us

State Sen. Steve Glazer

Seventh Senate District Capitol Office: State Capitol, Room 4082 Sacramento, CA 95814 Phone: 916-651-4007 District Office: 420 West Third St. Antioch, CA 94509 Phone: 925-258-1176 Fax: 925-258-9982 Cell: 925-963-1611 http://sd07.senate.ca.gov

Assemblymember Jim Frazier

11th Assembly District Capitol Office: P.O. Box 942849 Sacramento, CA 94249 Phone: 916-319-2011

District Office: 150 City Park Way Brentwood, CA 94513 Phone: 925-513-0411 Fax: 925-513-3511 www.asmdc.org/members/a11

Gov. Gavin Newsom State Capitol, Suite 1173 Sacramento, CA 95814 Phone: 916-445-2841 Fax: 916-558-3160 www.gov.ca.gov

U.S. Rep. Jerry McNerney

9th Congressional District Washington, DC Office: 2265 Rayburn HOB Washington, DC 20515 Phone: 202-225-1947 Fax: 202-225-4060

Antioch Office: 4703 Lone Tree Way Antioch, CA 94531 Phone: 925-754-0716

Fax: 925-754-0728 www.mcnerney.house.gov

U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla Washington, DC Office: 408 Dirksen SOB Washington, DC 20510 Phone: 202-224-3553

Fax: 202-224-2200 www.padilla.senate.gov

U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein Washington, DC Office: 331 Hart SOB Washington, DC 20510

Phone: 202-224-3841

Fax: 202-228-3954

San Francisco Office: One Post St., Room 2450

San Francisco, CA 94104

Phone: 415-393-0707

Fax: 415-393-0710 www.feinstein.senate.gov

President Joe Biden

The White House

1600 Pennsylvania Ave., NW Washington, DC 20500

Phone: 202-456-1111 Fax: 202-456-2461

BIRTHS, ACHIEVEMENTS AND OBITUARIES

Milestones

OBITUARY

Kevin C. Ditmars

August 16, 1956 – November 14, 2022

Born in Pittsburg, California to George and Florence Ditmars. Kevin was raised in Brentwood, California, attended Brentwood Elementary and Liberty High School.

Kevin will be remembered as a free spirit who had a love for the outdoors, enjoying hunting, fishing, camping, and mining for gold on his claim in the Downieville area. Kevin was a car enthusiast who worked as an auto body repairman and developed a talent for custom paint work, for which he was recognized and won numerous awards.

Kevin returned home on Nov. 14, 2022. He was predeceased by his mother, Florence, and brothers Kenneth “Kenny” Ditmars, and George Mitchell. Kevin is survived by his sons Dillon Ditmars (Kimberly), Shay Ditmars, and father George. Kevin played it his way until the end.

Service will be held in 2023.

Have you or someone you know reached a “milestone”?

Seen with The Press

Jeff and Toni Allendorph went on a two-week trip to Jordan and Israel. They spent one day in Petra (Sela - Hebrew), Jordan, which was built by the Nabateans in about 300 BC. This picture is of The Treasury, one of the most photographed parts of the city. Around the 1st century BC the city was home to about 20,000 people. This was a bucket list trip for them.

by Toni Allendorph

Photo

Press owners Greg Robinson and Sandie McNulty stopped in Canada on the way home.

Hometown SportS

Brentwood runner medals at Junior Olympics

By Michael Dixon Correspondent

Hundreds of the top distance runners from the country competed at Texas A&M’s Dale Watts ‘71 Cross Country Course, which played host to the USA Track & Field National Junior Olympic Cross Country Championships on Saturday, Dec. 10.

One of them was Maliya Glover, an 8-year-old third grader at Krey Elementary School in Brentwood.

Glover represents the Brentwood Greyhounds, one of the Northern California clubs in the 5 North Track & Field and Cross Country Conference. She was in Texas as one of 189 girls competing in the 8-and-under girls 2-kilometer race.

Glover finished 23rd overall, was the fifth best runner from California and was the first of the six 5 North runners at the event.

Glover crossed the finish line with a time of 8:09.6, not too far off of her personal best of 8:06. It was her first experience not only on the home course of the Aggies, but in Texas. One of the biggest differences Glover cited between Texas and California was the Texas humidity. According to the event’s website, the temperature was at 70 degrees with 95% humidity on the day of the race.

With that, Glover acknowledged that a hill at the end of the trail was a challenge, given that she was already tired. Despite that challenge, though, she enjoyed her time in College Station. Her favorite parts at the race

came just before it began and after it ended.

“Before, we got to stand in a tent waiting — the runners by ourselves,” Maliya said. “That was fun because I’ve never done that before. After, the best part was get-

ting my medal. The top 25 finishers got medals. I got to go up on the stage.”

Glover’s other favorite parts of the weekend included visiting the Texas A&M Library, watching Sunday’s NFL game between the San Francisco 49ers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers and playing with her baby brother, Isaiah.

To qualify for the Junior Olympics, Maliya had to go through district qualifying at the Pacific Qualifier, then the Regional Championship. She finished first and second, respectively, at those events

While this is Glover’s first year in cross country, she’s not new to distance running. When she was 4, Maliya ran her first 5K (3.1 miles) in San Ramon and came in third.

“We knew that we had something special when she finished ahead of me,” her mother, Saida said, chuckling. “She has a gift that we’re trying to see where it goes. We’re just putting her in stuff that she likes and is good at.”

Other things that Maliya is good at include karate, which she’s done since she was 3. Glover is a red belt. She also plays soccer. In her most recent season, Maliya scored 49 goals. Academically, she reads at a sixth-grade level.

“Maliya also works part-time as a model/actress,” Saida said. “Her work can be found on the websites for Ikea, Amazon, Molekule Air Purifier, Guava Family and her picture is featured at the Target store in Antioch for the work she did with Osmo Math Wizard.”

“God blessed Maliya with this amazing talent and she practices to get even faster,” Saida added. But most of all, Maliya loves being a big sister to Isla and Isaiah.”

EC Revolution 11G Blue team are champions again

Brentwood resident Maliya Glover competed in the USA Track & Field National Junior Olympic Cross Country Championships in Texas on Dec. 10.

Photo courtesy of Saida Glover

The 11G Blue U-12 Girls Team coached by Nicole Toeaina picked up where they left off last spring by winning another league title: PreNPL-East Fall season. The team finished the season 7-0-1. They scored 29 goals and allowed 4 against other top pre-NPL teams (Walnut Creek Surf, Marin, North Coast, Diablo Valley Wolves, Newark, Montclair, Spurs and West Coast). In addition to the fall season, they finished their NorCal State Cup run undefeated scoring 10 goals while allowing 0. Their work paid off and moved them on to the next round of 16 in January. From left to right: Coach Nicole Toeaina, Isabela Galvan, Morgan Mantley, Milania Bass, Naomi Pinon, Gianna Ballardo, Lexi Tank, Raelyn Gonzalez, Juliana Geer (goalie), Trinity Torres, Delaney McGee, Mia Toeaina, Ella Ghilarducci, Gia Cipollina, and assistant coach Matt Toeaina.

Photo courtesy of EC Revolution

Former Oakley man excels on global stage

Padilla wins gold medal at recent gymnastics championships

by Rene De Amaral Staff Writer

American trampoline gymnast and former Oakley resident Ruben Padilla won his first gold medal at the recent 36th annual Federation Internationale De Gymnastique Trampoline Gymnastics World Championships in the men’s double mini trampoline, in Sofia, Bulgaria.

For the double-mini category, participants are judged on time of flight, horizontal displacement and execution. Padilla, 21, was able to secure a spot in the final four of his category with a score of 30.200. He ultimately won the category with the same score during the medal round.

This win is Padilla’s first individual world title, previously placing fourth for the double mini at the 2022 World Games. He currently holds national titles for double mini, which he won earlier this year at the 2022 USA Gymnastics Championships, the 2022 Elite challenge and the 2022 Winter Classic Invitational.

Padilla credits his continued success to his support system;”from family,

friends, teammates, and even competitors. I am so lucky to be able to have so many people around me to push me to keep going,” he said. “Someone I owe so much to is my coach, Sven Nielsen. He has helped me for years, and is one of my biggest motivators. Without him, I would be nowhere close to the athlete I am today.”

The USA all-around team took home a silver medal. Padilla was also a member of the team that won a bronze medal in the team double mini, leading the qualifications with a score of 30.000.

Padilla began gymnastics lessons in Oakley when he was 5, eventually joining the U.S. Gymnastics national team when he was 14. He would later relocate to Utah. Padilla is part of the Wasatch Trampoline & Tumbling Club in Utah where he trains for about 15 hours a week and coaches for about 20.

Padilla averages 10 events per year, regularly finishing in the top three since 2014, according to his official USA Gymnastics profile page. His ultimate goal is making it to the Olympics.

‘I hope to be an inspiration to those around me as well as to the athletes I currently coach,” he said. “What I’m looking forward to next is the upcoming season where we will begin the Olympic process for 2024 Paris.”

Ruben Padilla excelled at the recent World Championships.

Press file photo

The reporting party’s vehicle, a 1999 gray Honda Civic, was stolen from in front of his property.

BRENTWOOD - November 15, 7:31 p.m.

The following is a selection of recent law enforcement activity:

OAKLEY

Nov. 15, 9:01 a.m. A case of disturbing the peace was reported at the Starbucks in Oakley.

Nov. 15, 10:28 a.m. An ordinance violation was reported on Concannon Court.

Nov. 15, 12:16 p.m. A restraining order violation was reported at the 4700 block on Bayside Way.

Nov. 15, 1:09 p.m. A reckless driver was reported on Wilbur Avenue/Bridgehead Road. Nov. 15, 2:32 p.m. An ordinance violation was reported at the 100 block on Heavenly Way.

Nov. 15, 3:03 p.m. An ordinance violation was reported on Verona Avenue.

Nov. 15, 3:10 p.m. A public nuisance was reported on Sellers Avenue/E. Cypress Road.

Nov. 15, 3:23 p.m. A domestic disturbance was reported at the 2500 block on Main Street.

Nov. 15, 3:31 p.m. A vehicle theft was reported at the 4700 block on Main Street.

Nov. 15, 5:16 p.m. A battery was reported at the 1200 block on Poplar Drive.

Nov. 15, 6:21 p.m. An unwanted guest was reported at the 200 block on Meadow Creek Court.

Nov. 15, 7:05 p.m. A case of battery was reported at Delta Vista Middle School.

Nov. 15, 9:36 p.m. A welfare check was conducted at the 4800 block on Snowy Egret Way.

Nov. 15, 10:19 a.m. A case of disturbing the peace was reported at the 4800 block on Snowy Egret Way.

Nov. 16, 5:41 a.m. A suspicious person was reported at the 200 block on Coolcrest Drive. Nov. 16, 6:07 a.m. A verbal dispute was reported on Vintage Parkway/Concannon Drive.

Nov. 16, 7:59 a.m. A suspicious vehicle was reported at the 200 block on Honey Lane. Nov. 16, 8:53 a.m. A case of harassment was reported at the 4000 block on Wilbur Avenue.

Nov. 16, 10:30 a.m. A civil disturbance was reported at the 30 block on Mandrake Court.

Nov. 16, 10:42 a.m. A case of identity theft was reported at the 70 block on Ravenswood Court.

Nov. 16, 12:05 p.m. An armed robbery was reported at the 4500 block on Main Street. Nov. 16, 12:33 p.m. Suspicious circumstances were reported at Orchard Park Elementary School.

Nov. 16, 1:11 p.m. A case of petty theft was reported at the 4100 block on Richard Way. Nov. 16, 3:17 p.m. A public nuisance was reported at the 1500 block on Neroly Road. Nov. 16, 3:46 p.m. A trespasser was reported at the 2400 block on E. Cypress road. Nov. 16, 4:04 p.m. A verbal dispute was reported at Delta Vista Middle School.

www.facebook.com/thepress.net

Oakley man dies after being struck by vehicle

By Rene De Amaral Staff Writer

A 62-year-old man was killed when he was struck by a vehicle and thrown from his motorcycle on Friday, Dec. 9.

Officers were dispatched at 10:47 p.m. to Laurel Road and Brown Road, and the man, later identified as Oakley resident Derrick Canada, was found dead at the scene, according to a statement by Oakley Police.

The motorcyclist Canada was riding crashed, possibly due to a med-

Nov. 16, 5:44 p.m. A case of vandalism was reported on O’Hara Avenue/Francisco Villa Drive.

Nov. 16, 6:33 p.m. A patrol request was conducted at the 4600 block on Burgundy Drive.

Nov. 16, 7:28 p.m. A suspicious vehicle was reported on Teton Road/Yosemite Circle.

Nov. 16, 7:37 p.m. An abandoned vehicle was reported at the 1200 block on Sierra Trail Road.

Nov. 16, 8:59 p.m. A suspicious vehicle was reported on Stirrup Drive/Lariat Lane. Nov. 16, 9:15 p.m. A reckless driver was reported at the Taco Bell in Oakley.

Nov. 16, 9:49 p.m. A suspicious vehicle was reported at the AM/PM in Oakley.

BRENTWOOD

Nov. 15, 8:10 a.m. A case of petty theft was reported on Sand Creek Road. A backpack was taken out of the shopping cart while the reporting party was turned away and loading his vehicle.

Nov. 15, 8:12 a.m. A case of vandalism was reported on Central Boulevard. The reporting party had just arrived at work and saw that the front window was shattered. Nov. 15, 4 p.m. A case of forgery was reported on John Muir Parkway. The reporting party’s computer was hacked and the hackers obtained access to this bank account. The hackers made a check to themselves for $653.90.

Nov. 15, 5:42 p.m. An accident with no injuries was reported on Haytack Court/ Windmeadows Drive. The reporting party’s vehicle was hit by a male driver in a blue Toyota.

Nov. 15, 7:31 p.m. The reporting party’s vehicle, a 1999 gray Honda Civic, was stolen from in front of his property.

Nov. 16, 6:43 a.m. An accident with no injuries was reported on Brentwood Boulevard. A solid waste truck crashed into a fire hydrant, water was spewing everywhere.

ical condition, and was down in the roadway for an undetermined period of time, police said. The driver of a vehicle coming down the road and did not see the motorcyclist, ultimately hitting Canada. Police said they don’t believe drugs or alcohol were a factor on the part of the driver.

The incident is still under investigation and Oakley Police have not made an arrest. The investigation will be submitted to the District Attorney’s Office, which will determine if charges are filed.

Nov. 16, 7:47 a.m. A hit and run with no injuries was reported on American Avenue. A gray Ford sedan rear ended the reporting party in front of the stop light on the Balfour side and took off toward Deer Valley.

Nov. 16, 9:43 a.m. A case of petty theft was reported on Second Street. Tool and a compressor were taken.

Nov. 16, 12:48 p.m. A hit and run with no injuries was reported on Brentwood Boulevard.

Nov. 16, 1:58 p.m. A harassment complaint was made on St. Andrews Drive. Person was verbally sexually harassing the reporting party’s daughter during her lesson.

Nov. 16, 2:30 p.m. A residential burglary was reported on Balfour Road. The reporting party was already inside and the location had been cleared. Items were taken including small jewelry, and the reporting party says the safe appears to be tampered with.

Nov. 16, 3:47 p.m. A case of forgery was reported on Balfour Road. The reporting party posted a car for sale on Facebook and met a female on Balfour Road to sell the vehicle on Nov. 12. She provided a check to the reporting party for $5,800 and it bounced.

Nov. 16, 3:48 p.m. A harassment complaint was made on First Street. The reporting party says an unknown person has been following her around. She has confronted the suspect and believes it is related to an injury claim she has filed.

Thorpe pleads no contest to DUI charge

By Chris Campos Staff Writer

MARTINEZ Antioch Mayor Lamar Thorpe pleaded no contest Tuesday to a driving under the influence misdemeanor charge.. A second charge was dropped, according to Ted Asregadoo, the public information officer to the Contra Costa County District Attorney Pleading no contest means that you accept the conviction, but avoid a factual admission of guilt for the charge. In misdemeanor cases, however, that plea cannot be used against you as an admission of guilt in certain civil proceedings. A no-contest plea is

also referred to as “nolo contendere.”

Thorpe was pulled over by California Highway Patrol on I-680 in Concord on March 19 at 1:15 a.m., according to the CHP’s statement later that day.

“Antioch Mayor Lamar Thorpe was charged with two misdemeanor counts of Driving Under the Influence (DUI) of alcohol on April 1, 2022,” the county District Attorney’s press release stated.

As part of the plea on Tuesday, Judge Rebecca Hardie ordered Thorpe to complete a three-month DUI diversion program, three years of probation and spend one day at the Sheriff’s Custody Alternative Facility (CAF) in

Martinez, Asregadoo said Tuesday.

According to the sheriff’s website, the CAF “provides for public safety, maintains judicial confidence, and at the same time allows the offender to be contributing members of society while fulfilling their courtordered sentences.”

Thorpe did not respond to calls for a comment on Tuesday. When charged in March, Thorpe wrote in a social media post, “I am deeply sorry by my lapse of judgement and I hope you can forgive me. Being your mayor is one of the greatest honors of my life and I am sorry if I have embarrassed you in any way.”

To comment, visit www.thepress.net

THORPE

Established in 2013, Handydads handyman services specializes in small household repairs and improvements, including TV mounts, ceiling fans, faucets, toilets, drywall repair, painting, hauling and more. The experts treat their customers’ homes as if they were their own and are professional, respectful, courteous, honest, and always punctual. A portion of all sales are donated to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

For more information, call 925-587-3237 www.handydads.net

NOTICE TO READERS

lassifieds & l egals

Informed

ANNOUNCEMENT

NEW AUTHORS

WANTED! Page Publishing will help you self-publish your own book. FREE author submission kit! Limited offer! Why wait? Call now: 1-855-667-0380

Become a Published

Author. We want to Read Your Book! Dorrance Publishing-Trusted by Authors Since 1920. Book manuscript submissions currently being reviewed. Comprehensive Services: Consultation, Production, Promotion and Distribution. Call for Your Free Author`s Guide 1-877-538-9554 or visit http://dorranceinfo.com/Cali

Prepare for power outages today with a GENERAC home standby generator. $0 Money Down + Low Monthly Payment Options. Request a FREE Quote -Call now before the next power outage: 1-844-439-5645

Eliminate gutter cleaning forever! LeafFilter, the most advanced debris-blocking gutter protection. Schedule a FREE LeafFilter estimate today. 15% off Entire Purchase. 10% Senior & Military Discounts. Call 1-855-424-7581

Switch and save up to $250/year on your talk, text and data. No contract and no hidden fees. Unlimited talk and text with flexible data plans. Premium nationwide coverage. 100% U.S. based customer service. Limited time offer get $50 off on any new account. Use code GIFT50. For more information, call 1-844-908-0605

AUTOS WANTED

DONATE YOUR CAR TO KIDS Fast Free Pickup –Running or Not - 24 Hour Response - Maximum Tax Donation – Help Find Missing Kids! Call 1-888491-1453.

DONATE YOUR CAR OR TRUCK TO HERITAGE FOR THE BLIND. Free 3 Day Vacation, Tax

Deductible, Free Towing, All Paperwork Taken Care Of. CALL 1-844-491-2884

CABLE / INTERNET/ SATELLITE TV

FREE high speed internet for those that qualify. Government program for recipients of select programs incl. Medicaid, SNAP, Housing Assistance, WIC, Veterans Pension, Survivor Benefits, Lifeline, Tribal. 15 GB internet service. Bonus offer: Android tablet FREE with one-time $20 copay. Free shipping & handling. Call Maxsip Telecom today! 1-855-480-0769

Get DIRECTV for $64.99/ mo for 12 months with CHOICE Package. Save an additional $120 over 1st year. First 3 months of HBO Max, Cinemax, Showtime, Starz and Epix included! Directv is #1 in Customer Satisfaction (JD Power & Assoc.) Some restrictions apply. Call 1-888-641-5762

EDUCATION/TRAINING

COMPUTER & IT TRAINING PROGRAM! Train ONLINE to get the skills to become a Computer & Help Desk Professional now! Grants and Scholarships available for certain programs for qualified applicants. Call CTI for details! 1-877-806-0935 (M-F 8am-6pm ET). Computer with internet is required.

FINANCIAL SERVICES

Over $10K in Debt? Be debt free in 24 to 48 months. No upfront fees to enroll. A+ BBB rated. Call National Debt Relief 1-888-231-4274.

THIS SPACE CAN BE YOURS! CALL 1-916-288-6011 or email cecelia@cnpa.com

INSURANCE

SAVE BIG on HOME INSURANCE! Compare 20 A-rated insurances companies. Get a quote within minutes. Average savings of $444/year! Call 1-844-410-9609! (M-F 8am-8pm Central)

REAL ESTATE/ LOANS

RETIRED COUPLE $1 MIL for business purpose Real Estate loans. Credit unimportant. V.I.P. Trust Deed Company www.viploan.com Call 1-818-248-0000 Brokerprincipal DRE 01041073. No Consumer Loans.

TRAVEL/VACATION

Costa Rica Tour 9 Days $995.

Fully guided tour. Includes all hotels, all meals, all activities. Tax, fees extra. Call 1-800-CARAVAN. Book online at Caravan.com.

WANTED TO BUY

TOP CA$H PAID FOR OLD GUITARS! 1920-1980 Gibson, Martin, Fender, Gretsch, Epiphone, Guild, Mosrite, Rickenbacker, Prairie State, D’Angelico, Stromberg. And Gibson Mandolins / Banjos. 1-844-910-1960.

The difference in winning and losing market share is how businesses use their advertising dollars.

CNPA’s Advertising Services’ power to connect to nearly 13 million of the state’s readers who are an engaged audience, makes our services an indispensable marketing solution. For more info call Cecelia @ (916) 288-6011 or cecelia@cnpa.com

DID YOU KNOW

The difference in winning and losing an election is how campaign dollars are spent. Get the best ROI by using our deep relationships in every community in California.

Our on-the-ground knowledge is indispensable to campaigns that want results. For more info on multi-market ethnic and non-ethnic solutions call Cecelia @ (916) 288-6011 or cecelia@cnpa.com

DID YOU KNOW

Newspaper-generated content is so valuable it’s taken and repeated,

condensed, broadcast, tweeted, discussed, posted, copied, edited, and emailed countless times throughout the day by others? Discover the Power of Newspaper Advertising. For a free brochure call 916-288-6011 or email cecelia@cnpa.com

Newspaper-generated content is so valuable it’s taken and repeated, condensed, broadcast, tweeted, discussed, posted, copied, edited, and emailed countless times throughout the day by others? Discover the Power of Newspaper Advertising. For a free brochure call 916-2886011 or email cecelia@ cnpa.com

Sportscardliquidator@ yahoo.com

THIS SPACE CAN BE YOURS! CALL 1-916-288-6011 or email cecelia@cnpa.com

Sportscardliquidator@ yahoo.com

FREON WANTED: We buy old refrigerants: R11, R12, R113 & more! Quick, local pickup & dropoff available. Call 1-312-8276204, RefrigerantFinders. com ¡Te pagamos por tu refrigerante!

THIS SPACE CAN BE YOURS! CALL 1-916-288-6011 or email cecelia@cnpa.com

The difference in winning and losing market share is how businesses use their advertising dollars.

CNPA’s Advertising Services’ power to connect to nearly 13 million of the state’s readers who are an engaged audience, makes our services an indispensable marketing solution. For more info call Cecelia @ (916) 288-6011 or cecelia@cnpa.com

THIS SPACE CAN BE YOURS! CALL 1-916-288-6011 or email cecelia@cnpa.com

Rentals Rentals

Jobs Jobs

BREAKING REPORTER & PHOTOGRAPHER

The Brentwood Press & Publishing has an opening for a full-time reporter/ photographer. The main area of coverage would be breaking news in East Contra Costa County. You would be responsible for monitoring police and fire department responses in our primary coverage area of Brentwood, Oakley, Discovery Bay, Bethel Island, Antioch and Pittsburg. Candidates must have some previous journalistic experience

ROOM FOR RENT PRIVATE ENTRANCE PRIVATE BATHROOM Brentwood $1000 / month Utilities & Internet Not included. Full access to Home and Kitchen. Available Now! 925-584-0954 Here’s How It Works: Sudoku puzzles are formatted as a 9x9 grid, broken down into nine 3x3 boxes. To solve a sudoku, the numbers 1 through 9 must fill each row, column and box. Each number can appear only once in each row, column and box. You can figure out the order in which the numbers will appear by using the numeric clues already provided in the boxes. The more numbers you name, the easier it gets to solve the puzzle!

GAMES & PUZZLES

particularly in news reporting and taking photos and video. Candidates must be computer literate and able to function in a multimedia online environment. Bay Area candidates are preferred. Salary depends on experience. To apply: Send your resume, cover letter and clips to Chris Campos at editor@ brentwoodpress. com.

Candlelight vigil held for Alexis Gabe

By Rene De Amaral Staff Writer

OAKLEY A candlelight vigil was held in honor of Alexis Gabe last Friday, Dec. 9. Gabe was determined to be a victim of homicide after she went missing Jan. 26 of this year, and her partial remains were found in early November.

The vigil was held at Civic Center Plaza in Oakley. Many of Gabe’s friends and family gathered with residents to honor her memory, joining the family in prayer, sharing their memories of Alexis, and offering the Gabe family condolences.

Brentwood

Gwyn Gabe, Alexis’ father, thanked everyone for their constant support during the search for the rest of her remains and continued hope for justice, “It’s been really hard for us, but what gives us comfort is the love and support from this community,” he said.

The Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office filed murder charges against the suspect, Gabe’s ex-boyfirend Marshal Curtis Jones, on May 26. He was killed by the Pacific Northwest Violent Offenders Task Force during his attempted arrest June 1, after he charged at officers with a knife. To comment, visit www.thepress.net

from page 1A

results, the council honored Rodriguez and Rarey for their leadership. More than 20 public comments were submitted by residents who wished to express their thanks to Rodriguez and Rarey, highlighting ways each had benefited the community both as council members and as private citizens. Both outgoing members were presented with a video message from Contra Costa County Supervisor Diane Burgis and a commendation from Rep. Jerry McNerney.

“I thank all of you because I know what a thankless job this is that you do,” one speaker said while another

commented that the work of the council created “a city to be proud of.”

The current council adjourned for the last time just before 10 p.m. then the 2022/24 council convened for the first time. With Vice Mayor Johnny Rodriguez’s term officially over, one of their first few orders of business was to appoint a new vice mayor.

Following several public comments recommending Meyer for the position, Mayor Joel Bryant nominated her in a motion that was carried unanimously.

“It makes sense – I’ve always thought so – to have a sitting council person fulfill that position,” Bryant said.

“There are so many things to learn when you first get on council that it’s important to have someone that is ready to take over running a council meeting.”

Other items on the council’s agenda included a financial report on the city’s 2021/’22 fiscal year and the proposal to discuss preparing a report on Chromium-6 levels in water at a future meeting.

The full meeting can be found at https://bit. ly/3FTlOZn

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

Oakland Police Department, noted Tuesday night “I, myself, individually did not

accomplish anything by myself. I want to thank staff for all their work over the last 12 years.”

Pope opened the crowded meeting by honoring his son, Carter Pope, with a proclamation honoring him for his promotion to Eagle Scout. The proud father hailed his son’s work on his campaigns and other community contributions through Troop 90.

Higgins, a nurse, was hailed by former mayor Claire Alaura, who attended the ceremony representing state Assemblyman Steve Glazer. County Supervisor Diane Burgis, also a former Oakley City Council member, appeared with a plaque for Higgins. “You’ve given so much of your life and your heart to the city,” Burgis said. Of Pope, Burgis noted, “He taught me the importance of getting along with your colleagues.”

Hailing both Higgins and Pope, City Manager Joshua McMurraynoted, “It’s been an incredible 12 years. You are true leaders, and we thank you for your service.”

Later, the council voted unanimously to appoint Meadows the next mayor

and Anissa Williams the new vice mayor. Council member George Fuller abstained on the vote for Williams.

Meadows told the audience that his priorities as new mayor will be increasing the number of police officers while emphasizing the importance of public safety and economic development.

Shaw and Henderson were elected in November while they served on the city’s Planning Commission.

A bright report on the city’s finances by a new auditor Maze & Associates cheered on the new council members. Finance Director Tim Przybyla told the council that only two cities were ranked by the state higher for their financial stability. He noted that the city is sitting on a healthy reserve of $8.9 million and has prepared for any potential dips in the economy.

For more information, see https:// www.ci.oakley.ca.us/ To view a slideshow, visit www.thepress. net/multimedia/slideshows

Promote an event on our calendar

Do you have an event you want to promote? Post it to our online community calendar at thepress.net, which is visited by more than 100,000 people per month.

Anyone can post an event for free on the website, but events can be promoted to the top of our online community calendar page for better exposure. Promoting your event puts it on every

page of the website and highlights it blue within the calendar list.

Promotion prices start at $15 for three days, $30 for seven days and $55 for 14 days. Non-promoted events are managed via self-service on the website user dashboard.

For more information and to post your event, visit https://www.thepress. net/users/admin/calendar/event/

Many East County residents turned out for the candlelight vigil for Alexis Gabe and to offer their continued support to the Gabe family.

Photo by Rene De Amaral

‘

Tis the Season

Great gifts for physical fitness buffs

Holiday shopping is a fun way to show loved ones just how much they’re appreciated. Though it’s not always so easy finding the right gift, identifying a passion of each person on your holiday shopping list can make finding the perfect present that much easier.

No two families are the same, but that doesn’t mean they don’t share similar characteristics and personalities. For example, many families have at least one person who qualifies as a physical fitness buff. Exercise is an essential part of fitness buffs’ daily routines. Holiday shoppers can keep that in mind as they look for gifts to make this season even more special for their fitnessfocused family members.

♦ Insulated water bottle: On the surface, a new water bottle might not seem like the most impressive gift. However, fitness buffs know just how much water bottles have changed in recent years and how invaluable it can be to have a good one at the ready. A high-quality insulated water bottle can keep water cold for hours, ensuring endurance athletes accustomed to long runs or cycling sessions won’t need to hydrate with warm

drinks no matter how long it’s been since they started their workouts.

♦ Fitness trackers: Fitness trackers run the gamut from low-cost options with useful, yet limited, capabilities to more expensive items that can seemingly give athletes all the information they need about variables such as their heart rate and performance metrics. If the fitness buff on your list has his or her heart set on an expensive device, speak to other family members about pooling your resources.

♦ Fitness app subscription/gift card: The popularity of various exercise apps spiked dramatically during the COVID-19 pandemic because they made it easy to get professional fitness instruction at home. A subscription to a service like ClassPass (classpass.com) provides access to classes at thousands of top-rated gyms, fitness studios, salons, and spas across the globe. This can help fitness buffs find new exercises if their existing routines have grown stale or simply stay in shape even if they don’t always have time to get to the gym.

♦ Home exercise equipment: Though the darkest days of the pandemic might be in the rearview mirror, the world has grown accustomed to periodic spikes that could compromise workout routines. That needn’t be the base for fitness buffs who keep some simple exercise equipment at home. A set of dumbbells, a new weight bench or even a new yoga mat can ensure fitness buffs won’t miss a workout even if they can’t get out of the house.

– Courtesy of Metro Creative

FUN

Photo courtesy of Adobe Stock

Shoppers can stoke fitness enthusiasts’ passion for exercise with some gifts designed to help people reach their fitness goals.

Shop owner combines practicality, philanthropy

“We collect [snow gear] all year long, and bring it out in December,” Giles said.

There are a lot of motivating factors behind starting your own business. But for

BeginAgains 4 Kids owner Janeen Giles, giving back to the community is at the top of her list.

Giles opened her children’s consignment boutique at 8157 Brentwood Blvd. in October of 2014, and has been using it as a way to support others ever since.

“It’s something that I had wanted to do when I was a young, single mom, actually,” Giles said. “I just didn’t have the means to do it.”

Consignment shops and thrift stores were places that Giles would shop for her own kids while they were growing up, and that’s when her love for children’s resale blossomed.

Her store’s offerings range from gently-used clothing, toys and baby gear – strollers, highchairs, pack and plays – to new items from brands such as Melissa & Doug and Scentco. Occasionally, Giles also gets various new clothing in, as well.

“I try to keep my price point $20 and below so that you’re not walking into what

you think is a used store, and there are $50 toys,” said Giles.

Another big draw for Giles’ shop is the fact that she is an ‘Authorized Equipment Retailer’ for Girl Scout uniforms and badges. She said she is the only store in East Contra Costa that sells Girl Scout gear – from Daisy level through Ambassador, “fun” patches and Girl Scoutthemed jewelry and bags.

“I match or am below the website prices,” Giles said. “Even though I pay shipping, I don’t charge for it.”

With the winter holidays fast approaching, the store is decked out in seasonal items and decorations, including

window art courtesy of her daughter. You can find anything from stocking stuffers to larger toys, both new and gently-used, she said.

The biggest draw of the season, however, is the large selection of kids’ snow gear.

“We started about 4 years ago after realizing that I needed snow gear for my kids, but couldn’t find anything around mid-December or January,” said Giles. That’s when she decided to add it to the already diverse collection of items. And not only do they carry items for children, it’s the one thing in the store that they also carry in adult sizes.

Giles explained that most people in the area visit the snow only once or twice in a year, and by the next year, the snow gear may not fit their kids anymore. So she invites parents to bring the too-small gear in for credit towards larger sizes.

“You’re going to buy a pair of snow pants for $15-$20, but bring them back to me and I’ll give you $5 credit,” she said. “Then someone else gets to buy them. It’s kind of like renting them.”

To bring in clothing or other items for credit or consignment, customer must make an appointment. All clothing items must be washed and folded, and not in a trash bag, according to Giles. She then goes through the items, one by one, pulling out any that are stained, over worn, or too dated.

“We give store credit for clothing and toys,” Giles said. “For larger items, like a pack and play or a highchair, you have the option to still consign. So if you wanted to get cash for that, then I would give it a number with your account, and once it sells you can be paid.”

The vast majority of items that Giles takes in for resale result in credit for the customer, and she offers the same credit

Happy Holidays from Alameda Pediatric Dentistry

MELISSA

Photo by Melissa van Ruiten

Janeen Giles opened BeginAgains 4 Kids in 2014 as a way to support others.

Great gifts for curious school-aged children

Successful shopping for adults on a holiday list often involves identifying a loved one’s favorite hobby and then finding something that makes that hobby even more enjoyable. For example, a new e-reader can be just what the family bookworm needs to make reading even more immersive.

School-aged children may not be so simple to shop for, as their interests are always evolving and they tend to outgrow toys as quickly as their growing bodies outgrow their clothes. No two kids are the same, but these gift ideas can appeal to school-aged youngsters at a time in their lives when their curiosity is always piqued.

STEM gifts:

Parents know that “STEM” is an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. These academic disciplines have gained heightened importance over the last couple of decades, and many toy manufacturers now make products that reinforce STEM lessons kids learn in the classroom in a fun way. STEM-based toys are available

for kids of all ages, including children who are still in diapers.

Nature-based gifts:

Many parents do everything they can to reduce the amount of time their kids spend looking at screens, which is a tall order in the digital era. But various manufacturers produce toys designed to help kids be more physically active in the great outdoors. From age-appropriate binocu-

lars that encourage kids to explore natural settings to bird houses and fairy gardens kids can build and paint in their favorite colors, shoppers can choose from a host of nature-based gifts that encourage kids to get away from their screens and enjoy the great outdoors.

Board games:

Board games remain a wonderful way for kids to learn and have fun doing

it. Board games are made for kids of all ages, and they’re not just fun, but also beneficial to early childhood development. For example, clinical psychologist Beatrice Tauber Prior, Psy.D. noted to the children’s book publisher and distributor Scholastic that board games requiring strategy help the frontal lobes of the brain develop. Those lobes are responsible for planning, organizing and decision-making. Board games also provide opportunities for families to spend quality time together free from distractions.

Cookbooks:

Cookbooks are another great gift for school-aged youngsters, who can learn a lot from pitching in at dinnertime. Children who cook with their parents can learn valuable lessons about nutrition and measuring ingredients can reinforce lessons learned in the classroom. Shoppers can choose from any number of cookbooks designed for kids, and even children as young as two can pitch in when baking cookies or preparing family meals.

Shopping for school-aged children during the holiday season can be made easier with some suggestions that can reinforce classroom lessons while keeping the focus on fun.

– Courtesy of Metro Creative

Photo courtesy of Metro Creative

These gift ideas can appeal to school-aged youngsters at a time in their lives when their curiosity is always piqued.

Christmas Basket Program called ‘wildly successful’

Friends of Oakley project served 243 families

he Friends of Oakley held their annual Christmas Basket Program on Sunday, Dec. 11, at O’Hara Park Middle School with 243 local families served with turkeys and non-perishable food donated by local businesses, residents and community groups.

Kevin Romick, a former mayor of Oakley and a volunteer with the group, called the event “wildly successful” on Monday and noted that more than 600 donated toys were also distributed for children ages 17 and under. And 16 children got some special gifts: new bicycles.

“We owe a lot of thanks to Grocery Outlet, our partner, and the Oakley Rotary, Freedom High Leadership, Girl Scout Troop 31743, Les Schwab of Oakley and Flor Do Oakley for their help and support,” Romick said.

The Oakley Rotary Club was instrumental in shopping for toys, helping prepare for the event, filling 205 bags of toys for distribution and assisting at the event, according to the club’s Brenda D’Amico.

The community service group distributes donation barrels around the city in November for the December giveaway for the program that began in 2008.

For more information, see https:// www.facebook.com/friendsofoakley/

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

Submitted photos

The ABCs of gift giving

A is for All in One Limousine

All in One Limousine has the best transportation for all your travel needs, including airports, winery tours, weddings, dinners and holiday parties. Gift certificates are available. Our fleet includes stretch limos  sedans, SUV, party bus and passenger vans. Call Cindy at 925-513-4175 or visit www.allinonelimos.com (TCP# 24869)

B is for Brentwood On Ice

Lace up those skates and celebrate the season at Brentwood On Ice in downtown Brentwood across from City Hall. The community rink provides residents and visitors with a holiday tradition like no other. Open seven days a week, the seasonal rink has something for everyone. Mention this ad and receive $1 off skate rental. Visit www. brentwoodonice.com for rink hours and information or call 925-516-7664.

C is for Continente Country Store

Continente Country Store prides itself on its rich family history, longstanding roots in the East Bay Area and is committed to offering their customers quality products at a fair price. They offer a variety of baking goods, nuts and candy, including gift packs that are great gifts for loved ones. Continente Country Store is the perfect place to pick up any snacks or specialty items for the holiday season. For more information and to shop, visit https://www. continentecountrystore.com/

D is for Dance

Give the gift of dance this holiday season from East County Performing Arts Center! Two months of dance, June Recital Costume, Tutu and Wand – all packaged under the tree for $179! www.Brentwooddance.com or call 925-240-5556.

E is for Eyeglasses

Whether you need a prescription or want fashionable frames, eye glasses can make a unique gift. At Vision Optix Optometry, they will help with all of your vision needs, including eye exams, glasses and contact lenses. Located at 3840 Balfour Road in Brentwood. Call 925-5130323 or visit www.visionoptix.com

F is for Family and Fun

Grab your family and head on over to Brentwood Craft Beer & Cider where you can get a cold beer, a refreshing cider and some delicious food. All served up in a Friendly Family Fun environment at 234 Oak St. in Downtown Brentwood. Where you can go and make some new friends or visit with some old ones!  Check them out on Facebook or at www. brentwoodcraft.com

G is for Gift Baskets

Find a great collection of fruit, nut and gourmet food gift baskets at Gursky Ranch. Give a unique, handcrafted gift basket themed for the holiday season this year. All baskets are hand-processed in the Gursky Ranch store, located at 1921 Apricot Way, in Brentwood. The store is open daily through Dec. 24, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call 925-634-4913 with any questions.

H is for Hamburger

Snag a gift card and give the gift of a juicy, all-American burger at Digger’s Diner, located at 2261 Balfour Road, in Brentwood. The restaurant is open Monday through Saturday, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, visit www.diggersdinerbrentwood.com or call 925-240-8958.

I is for Ice Cream

Family-owned and -operated, Sip and Scoop California is located at 234 Oak St. in Brentwood. This cute downtown business is a great place to meet up with friends and get a delicious hot or ice beverage, a scoop of ice cream, yummy bubble waffle, toast, or breakfast sandwich. Mention this ad to get $1 off your order of $10 or more. You can follow Sip and Scoop on Facebook and Instagram.

J is for Jam

Coo Moo Jams is a local artisanal jams business that currently has three delicious flavors: Apricot Habanero, Peachy Mango Madness and Triple Berry Moogarita! They also feature two new sauces: Wooster Sauce and Triple Berry Moogarita sauce. All flavors come with a warning of “may become addicting.“ All the jams are available at Alluv Place, Brentwood Craft Beer and Cider, Gursky Ranch, McCauleys Olive Oil Store, The Pink Door and Urban Edge Farms. Visit www. coomoojams.com for details or to place your order.

K is for Karaoke

Like being the star of the show? Come on down to 311 Oak St. Pub on Tuesday nights where they have karaoke with DJ Lisa from 8 p.m. till midnight. They offer several drink specials and Taco Tuesday deals including $3 carne asada, pork or chorizo tacos served with cilantro, onions, and their homemade salsa roja, with the kitchen staying open till 9:30 p.m. So grab your friends and head down to 311 Oak St. in downtown Brentwood. Check them out on Facebook or call 925-626-5547.

L is for La Fuente

Sensational Mexican food, featuring rich flavors that have taken generations to perfect. The ambiance makes you feel you’re in Mexico enjoying a meal with family and friends. Enjoy that meal with a full salad bar and, in the winter, a savory and comforting bowl of soup! 642 First Street, Brentwood. 925-516-2233 www.lafuentebrentwood.com

M is for Music

Give the joy of music to fill the holiday season. Geddes Music provides new and used instruments with services and supplies to keep the music going. We are also offering a holiday special of 10% off all Christmas related collection sheet music and song books in stock! Geddes Music can be found at their new location, 625 First St. downtown Brentwood or call 925-634-6684.

For all of you last-minute shoppers, The Press has you covered with some great gift ideas and fun things to do. Below, you will find local selections from A to Z, to complete your shopping list!

N is for Nutcracker

For the last 18 years, The Ballet Company of East County has offered local audiences “The Nutcracker” each December, and this holiday season is no exception. Experience the magic and make “The Nutcracker” part of your family’s holiday tradition. Dancers from The Ballet Company of East County will offer six local performances at the Freedom High School Theater, 1050 Neroly Road in Oakley, Dec 15-18. For more information, go to www.brentwooddance.com or call 925-240-5556.

O is for Optometry

Delta Vista Optometry is a great place to go for eye care and eye wear as they offer both vision and medical eye care services for all ages. They have been serving Brentwood since 1987 and are located in downtown Brentwood at the corner of Chestnut Street and Brentwood Blvd. HSA/FSA benefits and many medical and vision insurance plans are accepted. Call today 925-634-0303 to schedule an appointment with their friendly, attentive and experienced team. Visit www.deltavistaeye.com

P is for Pets

Brentwood Family Pet Care offers all their clients and patients the highest level of veterinary medicine along with friendly, compassionate service. The best gift for your pets is good healthexams, vaccines, anti-parasites, spay/neuter - good food and lots of love. Let them help keep your pets (young or old) healthy and happy. Located at 4421-A Balfour Road in Brentwood. Visit www. BrentwoodFamilyPetCare.com, or call 925-240-7387.

Q is for Quick Quack Car Wash

Celebrate the holiday season with Quick Quack Car Wash by giving your loved ones a clean car for Christmas. Start your membership today for as low as $21.99 a month, or add those you love to your account at a discounted rate. Their fast yet thorough service allows them to wash 165 cars per hour, and if you are not 100% satisfied, a team member will wash your car on the spot. Don’t let people in your life drive dirty. Visit www.DontDriveDirty. com for more information.

R is for Rockin’ Jump

The Ultimate Trampoline Park, Rockin’ Jump, is a favorite indoor activity for all ages. Get the jump on your holiday shopping by stopping by and picking up Rockin’ Jump’s ultimate stocking stuffer gift box which includes a $25 gift card, $5 bonus card and grip socks, all for only $25. Rockin Jump is located at 5641 Lone Tree Way. Call them at 925-281-3335 or visit www. rockinjump.com/brentwood

S is for Serendipity

Serendipity Cellars is Brentwood’s newest winery and located minutes from downtown Brentwood. It’s a beautiful one-ofa-kind unique boutique winery that demonstrates their passion for the artistry that goes into wine making. Head out for some tastings or pick up some wine by the bottle or case for those last-minute holiday gifts. Located at 1600 Chestnut St. Call today for hours 925-477-0572 or visit www.serendipitycellars.com

T is for Teeth

Now is the time to have your teeth checked! Most insurance benefits or FSA’s expire at the end of December.  Call us today to schedule your child’s exam and cleaning before the year ends. 925-516-4107.

U is for Ukulele

You don’t have to live in Hawaii to enjoy the lighthearted sounds of the ukulele, especially when one local group - the Delta Strummers - is dedicated to this particular instrument. If someone you know is looking to learn a new skill while enjoying the social aspect of practicing and performing with a group, consider this stringed instrument. Contact Ernie Macintyre, music director, at www. deltastrummers.org

V is for Vintage

A Vintage Wonderland is where nine dealers wait for you and yours! So, come on in to hunt for new and old treasures mixed throughout with vintage items, antiques and so much more. You will see an eclectic mix of items as you walk through the door. They hope you’ll take the items home so you can adore them for years to come. A Vintage Wonderland is located at 629 First St. in downtown Brentwood. Follow them on Facebook at https://bit.ly/3UFgzkh or Instagram @a_vintage_wland

W is for Wine

Pick up a bottle of wine for any occasion this season at Co. Co. County Wine Co., located at 633 First St., in Brentwood. Buy any four bottles of wine in stock and get 20% off Dec. 21 – 23. Hours of operation are Wednesday and Thursday, 4 to 9 p.m.; Friday, 4 to 11 p.m.; and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. For more information, call 925-634-9463 or visit www.cocowineco.com

X is Galaxy Kids Code Club

Give the gift of coding for the holidays! Coding is quickly becoming one of the most important job skills. Gift certificates are available now for our coding classes as well as our in-store games and puzzles. Turn your child’s love of technology into skill building for their future success! Visit our website at www. galaxykidscodeclub.com to see the latest games our students have created or contact us at 925-4642766. GalaxyKids <Code Club> 312 Oak St. Brentwood.

Y is for Frozen Yogurt

Head over to Cool Spot in Brentwood where you can enjoy frozen yogurt, fresh baked cookies, refreshing slushies and specialty coffee drinks. Take advantage of the holiday gift card promotion, buy a $25 gift card and get $5 extra for free! Open till 8:30 PM Sun. –Thur. and 9 PM Fri. & Sat. 390 W. Country Club Dr. 925-626-7142.

Z is for Zephyr

Treat your friends and family to a gourmet dining experience at Zephyr Grill & Bar at 613 First St., in Brentwood. Zephyr gift cards make great presents! For every $100 in gift cards purchased, receive a $20 bonus card. Now open 7 days a week. For more information call 925-418-4708 or visit https:// www.zephyrgrillbrentwood.com

Craft an entire day around tree shopping

Though retailers may begin playing holiday tunes shortly after Halloween, for many people, no date on the calendar marks the beginning of the holiday season better than the day they pick up their Christmas tree.

Selecting a Christmas tree may not take more than an hour or two, but there are ways for families and other tree shoppers to maximize their time spent looking for a tree.

♦ Bring refreshments. Couple Christmas tree shopping with picnicking if the weather is amenable. Pack some foldable chairs into the vehicle (sitting on the ground on a blanket may be too cold) and bring along thermoses of coffee or hot cocoa. Snacks like granola bars, Christmas cookies or other filling treats can keep everyone satisfied and energized while they shop for a tree.

♦ Pair tree shopping with a trip to see lighting displays. Find the tree lot or tree farm and then scope out potentially scenic spots to view holiday lighting displays nearby. Neighborhood Facebook or other social media groups often tout homes that put up eye-

Photo courtesy of Metro Creative Make a day of selecting and putting up the Christmas tree each year. Doing so can enhance the holidays and make for an entertaining way to spend time together as a couple or family.

catching displays. Ask around for addresses and plan your own tours.

♦ Plan a night out. Everyone may be tired and hungry after a long day of Christmas tree hunting. Plus, it’s typically a good idea to wait some time for boughs to open before decorating. Use this opportunity to dine out and return home ready to decorate. Make it a regular occurrence that Christmas tree shopping is followed by a family meal at a favorite restaurant.

♦ Watch a classic film. Many different holiday movies are broadcast this time of year and each enhances the Christmas spirit. While putting up the tree, play a favorite film in the background. What better way to enjoy decorating your own tree than by watching Charlie Brown adorn his meager evergreen at the same time?

– Courtesy of Metro Creative

emper Fi and America’s Fund, a veteran-focused nonprofit, has announced that donations they receive through Dec. 31 will be matched up to $10 million as part of the Double Down for Veterans campaign.

Locally, Brentwood residents can also help support The Fund by dining at Vic Stewart’s on Balfour Road. The restaurant said it will partner with The Fund to donate 20% of all dinner sales on Dec. 17.

Semper Fi’s & America’s Fund’s mission statement says it ‘cares for our nation’s critically wounded, ill and injured service members veterans and military

Begin Agains

families. Supporting all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces, it provides ‘one-onone case management, connection and lifetime support.”

The Fund was started in 2003 by military spouses to “provide bedside support to combat-wounded service members returning from Iraq and Afghanistan,” according to their website. The organization has provided $290 million in assistance to 29,000 service members, veterans, and military families.

“Those we serve are such an important part of our family,” said Karen Guenther, president and founder of Semper Fi & America’s Fund. “We want our service members, veterans, and military families to achieve the highest possible quality of life and independence.”

For details about The Fund, visit https://thefund.org/

from page 3B

on items, regardless of which major brand might be on the label. She knows that she could charge more for biggername items, but for her it’s about making the shopping experience in her store as boutique-feeling as possible while keeping prices lower for families that don’t have a lot of wiggle room with their clothing budget.

“I was a single mom for about 10 years, with four kids,” Giles recounted. “My kids always looked like they had new clothes on because I would be very picky about the clothes I thrifted. I would make sure to shop this way

for them, and you would’ve never known.”

As for the clothing that doesn’t make it to the shelves, Giles gives her customers the option to donate it to charity. She does the same for the clothing that has been on the racks for an extended time because she always has new inventory coming in.

“We have a few go-to organizations,” said Giles. “Shepherd’s Gate is one. A lot of times, I really work with foster families, so they know to come to me if they need it. Unless it’s completely ripped or something, nothing is going to get thrown away.”

Giles, is a licensed foster provider, so she said she feels strongly about being able to give back in that way.

After being in operation for eight years, Giles is still enthusiastic when she talks about how she’s been able to expand her space and item selection. She isn’t in the business to get rich monetarily, but her heart is filled with all the lives she’s been able to touch.

If you’re looking to refresh your child’s wardrobe, complete your child’s Girl Scout uniform, or planning a trip to the snow, check out https://www.facebook.com/ beginagains4kids, or stop by the shop.

Photo courtesy of Carly Sanchez

Semper Fi & America’s Fund is a veteran-focused nonprofit that, in partnership with other organizations, is matching fundraising efforts for military families through Dec. 31.

What to get the family beach bum

If the weather outside is frightful, these beach-themed gifts can be just what beach lovers want to see under the tree this holiday season.

typically made with microfiber that prevents sand from accumulating on them. That helps beachgoers ensure sand on their towels doesn’t make it to their cars and homes.

♦

Beach shade/tent: Beach shades and tents can make a day at the shore that much more enjoyable by protecting beachgoers from the sun. Many beach shades and tents offer significant sun protection, making them the perfect places to look to for a riverside or oceanfront nap. Shades and tents also provide a welcome respite from the sun while eating or reading summer’s must-read novel.

♦ Beach hammock: Individuals or couples who want to take beach napping to the next level would undoubtedly appreciate a beach hammock. A beach hammock strung between two palm trees is the stuff tourism brochures are made of. When shopping for beach hammocks, look for one with durable tree straps and an attached bag that makes setup and takedown a snap.

♦ Sand-free towel: Perhaps the only nuisance of spending a day at the beach is bringing sand home with you. Enter the sand-free beach towel. Sand-free towels are

♦ Foldable blanket: A foldable blanket folds up and zips into a tiny rectangle and makes for the perfect place to enjoy a picnic at the beach. Foldable blankets that can be zip-closed can fold up into the size of a small pillow, making them highly popular among beach lovers who are accustomed to serving as sun-soaked sherpas each time they visit the beach. Sand-free fabrics make these ideal for people who want to leave the sand behind when it’s time to go home.

♦ Beach wagon: Beach wagons make getting from the car to the sand with your gear in tow that much easier. Collapsible wagons can fold up and fit easily into vehicle trunks when not in use. Depending on the size of the wagon, it may be able to carry more than 100 pounds. of cargo, including beach chairs, coolers, towels, and more.

The weeks between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day might not be peak beach season, but it’s a great time to find items that can make beach lovers’ trips to the beach that much better.

– Courtesy of Metro Creative

Come toast the holidays on Dec. 22

East County Living to host ChristmasCon throughout downtown Brentwood

The holiday spirit will pervade downtown Brentwood on Dec. 22 as local businesses come together to spread holiday cheer at East County Living’s first ChristmasCon.

“It’s the first official ChristmasCon in Brentwood this year, or ever, and we’re looking forward to making it bigger and better next year,” event organizer Kevin Erickson said.

ChristmasCon is a festive bar crawl that begins at First Street and Oak Street at 6 p.m. and goes until 9 p.m. Each of the eight stops will serve its own drink special just for the occasion. Participating businesses are Crown & Crow, The Lounge, Co.Co.County Wine Company,

Boondoggies, Rubiano’s, Chelsea Fusion, Brentwood Craft Beer and Cider and 311 Oak Street Pub.

Erickson calls the event a fun time for all.

“I’m super excited that ChristmasCon is coming to Brentwood,” he said. “I think it’s going to bring a lot of business to our local restaurants and bars that otherwise might’ve seen a slow evening.”

There is no charge to attend, and participants are encouraged to dress in their best holiday-themed attire, such as Santa, elf, reindeer, Grinch or Scrooge costumes.

“I think it’s going to bring a good spirit to our community and the residents of East County,” he said.

‘Tis the Season of Giving Back.

committed to keeping

connected to

community. With your subscription you will help ensure that local journalism is here for you during the next election, the next wildfire, and the next tree lighting — covering all the stories that are important to you and your family.

Donation barrel for non perishable food and unwrapped toys is available in The Press lobby.