YOUR HOMETOWN WEEKLY NEWSPAPER ward Winning News al A pa
Vol. 11, No. 47
Including Surrounding Communities
Compassion returns to Brentwood For the second year, members of a local church will spend this Saturday, Nov. 21, helping those who need it. Last March, the Harvest Time Assembly of God Church’s Day of Compassion provided hundreds of residents free bags of groceries, plus medical, dental and eye screenings – even haircuts. Organizer Larry Botelho said this weekend’s event promises to do even more. “It’s going to be the same routine this time, but a little bit bigger with some additional services and more volunteers,” he said. This year’s event will include a limited number of swine flu and seasonal flu vaccines available to qualified recipients, courtesy of Sutter Delta Medical Center. Also, Gorilla Rilla, the Oakland Raiders’ unofficial mascot and recent Pro Football Ultimate Fan Association Hall of Fame inductee, will be on hand to help with the event and welcome visitors. And each family who attends the Day of Compassion will go home with a free turkey dinner. The communitywide event will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the parking lot of the church, 2200 Ventura Road (across from Krey Elementary School) in Brentwood. A free brunch will be served from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. and all are welcome. For additional information, call the church at 925-516-1908.
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November 20, 2009
Hospice lights the night
THIS WEEK
The past personified Photo by Richard Wisdom
embers of the Summerset Singers helped celebrate the lighting of the Hospice of the East Bay’s Tree of Lights, which helps families celebrate and memorialize the lives of their friends and loved ones. A total of 15 trees throughout Contra Costa are part of this annual commemoration, and Brentwood’s display, in the background above, consists of four beautiful redwoods at the entrance to Veterans Park on Balfour Road. Since 1977, Hospice has provided medical, emotional and practical support for people dealing with life-threatening illnesses. To learn more, visit www.hospiceeastbay.org.
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DCSI: Filling needs throughout the year by Ruth Roberts Staff Writer
For many in East County, the holidays are a time of celebration and joy, but for those hard hit during these tough economic times, the season can be a source of sadness and despair. But in Brentwood there’s a nonprofit agency that’s especially aware of residents’ needs, not only during the holidays but throughout the year. For many, according to Felicitas Ochoa, executive secretary for Delta Community Services Inc. (DCSI), the need for help is great – and ongoing. “We take on projects as they are needed, and they are needed all year,” said Ochoa. “We see requests for everything from baby strollers and groceries to healthcare and washers and dryers.
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Photo courtesy of Delta Community Services Inc.
One of the many outreach programs of Delta Community Services Inc. (DCSI) is an annual adopt-a-family holiday fundraiser. DCSI Executive Secretary Felicitas Ochoa, left, poses with Veronica Perea, center, one of the recipients from last year’s drive, along with Alice Castillo, who provided gifts for the Perea family. A lot of people are feeling the pinch.” Located in the Brentwood Women’s Club at 730 Third St.,
DCSI is an information and referral service with deep roots in the community. Originally established in the mid-1970s by a
group of volunteers who applied for a federal grant to help bring county services to Brentwood, the grass-roots organization, despite a number of different locations, has continued to serve the community in a variety of venues, including human resources, community outreach and emergency services. In the past few months, DCSI has collected and donated Tri Delta bus passes to residents, worked with local organizations to assist low-income residents and seniors with their utility and rent obligations, partnered with the Lions Club to provide eyeglasses and hearing aids to the public, and provided clothing and housing essentials to local families. Each year DCSI also works with the public to provide holisee DCSI page 26A
Fast finds! Search the business directory. Shopping, dining ... anything you need. Find it in the business directory at www.thepress.net. See page 22A.
A local history museum will soon be displaying artifacts from the legendary Donner family.
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Courting conquest
The Heritage girls tennis team’s 14-1 league record earned it championship status.
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INSIDE Business ...........................22A Calendar ..........................23B Classifieds ........................14B Cop Logs ..........................19A Entertainment .................. 9B Food .................................12B Health & Beauty ............... 8B Milestones .......................24A Opinion ...........................18A Sports ................................. 1B Talk About Town ..............5A WebExtras! ....................... 1B
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