Brentwood to ink amendment allowing tattoo parlors downtown
By Jake Menez Staff Writer
Tattoo parlors may soon make their mark on downtown Brentwood after the City Council voted to move forward with an amendment to the Downtown Specific Plan as part of their May 27 meeting. The decision passed 3-2, with Mayor Susannah Meyer and Councilmember Jovita Mendoza dissenting.
The Downtown Specific Plan is described on the city’s website as a plan intended “to ensure [downtown] evolves to embody the community’s vision for a vibrant, active, and beautiful city district.” According to Economic Development Manager Erik Nolthenius, there have been discussions as far back as 2017
about amending the plan.
“I also have tattoos. Nothing against them,” Meyer said. “I don’t think anyone here thinks they’re dirty or nasty or evil
Oakley City Council adopts
fiscal year 2025/2026 budget
By Connor Robles Correspondent
The Oakley City Council approved the fiscal year 2025/2026 budget with four resolutions, each approving different aspects of the budget, at their May 27 meeting.
The new budget, which takes effect on July 1, totals $96 million, with $35.9 million from the city’s General Fund (including one-time transfers of money) and $38 million expended on capital improvement projects to improve city property, according to Administrative Services Director Jeri Tejeda. The bud-
get will also establish two new temporary sworn police officer positions.
According to Tejeda’s presentation, $4.86 million is to be transferred out of the General Fund for specific use by the city, including:
•$2.5 million to pay for the remodeling of City Hall and the reconstruction of Sellers Avenue;
•$2.249 million to fund street repair and rehabilitation;
•$115,000 to the city storm water fund. General Fund
The presentation also not-
Calculated
Punkture Studio, a tattoo parlor operating on Brentwood Boulevard, has expressed interest in moving into a building on Second Street formerly occupied by The Pink Door.
Press file photo
or anything like that. That’s not the discussion we’re having.”
She outlined her concerns about potentially allowing tattoo parlors into
the core downtown area, which were more about economic opportunities and equitability. According to Meyer, there are other types of businesses that could come downtown instead that would bring in more tax revenue and there are existing businesses downtown that have requested a tattoo license and have not been able to get it.
“If there is a discussion happening, it’s not because we think tattoos are evil,” she said.
Mendoza expressed concern that the city could not limit the number of tattoo parlors downtown, creating a situation in which there could potentially be several of them in an area that the city
Antioch considers requiring low-income housing from new developments
By Dawnmarie Fehr Correspondent
The Antioch City Council received a presentation on creating and adopting an inclusionary housing ordinance during a study session on Tuesday evening.
The May 27 presentation was informational only, and no action was taken by the City Council.
If drafted and adopted, such an ordinance would require new residential development within the city to include a certain percentage of units priced for low-income and very
low-income families. Along with that requirement, the city could incorporate incentives for builders to avoid constraining housing production and zoning requirements.
Antioch’s existing housing plan, last updated in 2023, calls for consideration of an inclusionary housing ordinance. Greg Goodfellow of Place -
Works – a planning, design and environmental firm – made the presentation, and said the study session was part of that consideration.
“There was no intent to make the City Council do anything with the presentation,” Goodfellow said after the meeting. “This project is not
see Housing page 18
Oakley student picked for select summer STEM program at UC Berkeley
Fourth
grader will join students from across U.S. for special program
By Nicole Becchina Staff Writer
Eli Gasca, a fourth grader at Oakley Elementary School, has been selected to attend Envision’s National Youth Leadership Forum (NYLF): Pathways to STEM.
The forum, which features outstanding students from across the nation, will take place UC-Berkeley this summer.
“I am excited for Eli to meet, work, and collaborate with fellow high-aspiring students from other cities and schools,” said Dr. Jan Sikorsky, Vice President of Education for Envision, in a press release. “NYLF: Pathways to STEM (science, technology, math, engineering) is a wonderful opportunity for ambitious young students to explore their interests outside the classroom and discover how to innovate and think creatively through hands-on immersive learning. Our students are challenged with real-world simulations and problems, working together to develop unique solutions and projects to bring life to their studies and career interests.”
NYLF Pathways to STEM is one of Envision by WorldStrides many programs that gives students the opportunity to explore learning beyond the classroom and immerse themselves in their interests, according to the press release. WorldStrides provides educational travel and experiences in the United States and works with over 50,000 educators each year and helps 550,000 students explore the world and themselves in new ways.
Eli was nominated for the program by his teacher, Sara Lacaba.
“I felt really excited,” Eli said.
Eli is looking forward to having an activity to do this summer in addition to riding his bike and playing games.
“I like science and also technology,” Eli said.
Eli is an animal lover and enjoys learning about animals and life science.
The one-week program costs $3,600 in tuition, which includes room and board. Eli and his family are raising funds to help cover the tuition cost to attend the program.
“When my school had the safety fair, we sold popsicles and we’re also going to have a lemonade stand and a yard sale,” Eli said.
The lemonade stand and yard sale fundraiser will be Saturday, June 14 at 5125 Woodmont Court in Antioch from 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Eli said he is excited to stay in the dorms, but also nervous because it will be a new experience for him.
He is interested in having a career in coding or the restaurant industry.
“I’ve really just like thought of stuff,” Eli said. “I’ve thought of coding. I’ve also thought of working at a restaurant.”
Eli does coding at Hackingtons in Brentwood where he gets to learn how to make video games.
Kenzie Gasca, Eli’s mother, said the program will be a great opportunity for him and was excited when she found out he had been nominated.
“I was excited for this opportunity for him because he’s very much a high opportunity learner,” Kenzie said. “He loves to learn. He loves to do leadership roles within his learning environment. He loves to plan for his future. The program something that is right up his alley.”
Rae Atwood, Eli’s great aunt and former Oakley teacher, is proud of Eli. “He’s very science oriented, that higher level of thinking and advanced, and I think this is the perfect opportunity for him to really kind of get away from home and find out what he’s capable of,” Atwood said. “I am just so proud of him.”
Those who are interested in donating can send direct donations to give.envisionexperience.com/utxrqganah, or directly to Kenzie’s Venmo account at @MacKenzieGasca.
Fifth annual Bags & Brews brings crowds to downtown Brentwood
Downtown Brentwood was buzzing on May 25 during Memorial Day weekend as the Downtown Brentwood Coalition hosted its fifth annual Bags and Brews event with an estimated 4,000 attendees — up from last year’s 2,900, organizers said. The Kids Zone featured family-friendly activities, including free gift bags, a kid-sized cornhole setup, a mini barista station, and games like tic-tac-toe, arts and crafts projects, a scavenger hunt for children. A military tribute honoring fallen service members took place at noon at the intersection of Oak and First streets. Then a cornhole tournament featured about 155 two-player teams competing in three divisions.
ELI
Photo courtesy of Downtown Brentwood Coalition
New dentist office welcomes the first A.I. ‘dentist’ to Brentwood
By Jeff Weisinger Staff Writer
Artificial intelligence has made its way into the dentist’s office.
Dr. Vishnu Shankar, DDS of the new Brentwood Dental Excellence, opened his new office this month in Lone Tree Plaza and brings something new to dentistry locally – a robotic dental robot named Yomi.
”We are in a very technologically advanced era and moving forward, especially with the inception of (artificial intelligence),” Shankar said. “We love the technology that makes our work so much safer. With patients, it’s just more practical healing, surgical times are predictable and we have the end result in mind. That is a big benefit to the patient.”
Shankar explains the Yomi robot as a “navigational tool for guided implant surgeries.”
”It’s basically like driving at night in the rain with the GPS on and the car knows where it’s going,” Shankar added.
Yomi works in two parts. First, a separate device takes a 3D scan of the patient’s head using a technology that is more focused than a CT scan viewing on the mouth and jaw area so the dentists can see on a separate screen the area that they plan to work in. The imagery is sent to the Yomi via Wi-Fi where it plans and navigates the placement while the dentists are able to design where they want the implants to go, location and distance.
“It basically guides the surgeon,” Shankar said. “We call it robotics that is human driven, and it’s just very efficient and a safer way to do dental implants. We can do single, multiple, and in most cases, we can do immediate
placements where we take the tooth out, in instance of infection, we’re able to navigate into the solid bone and place an implant that has initial stability to temporize and heal.”
Yomi was introduced to the United States in 2016 after spending four years in development by Neocis, a surgical dental robotics company in Florida, and the manufacturer of Yomi. Neocis adds on their website that Yomi is the first and only FDA-cleared robotic system for dental surgery.
Shankar has worked with Yomi through the last several years and has done over 1,000 dental procedures with the new technology. Shankar said there have been
no reported problems with Yomi.
dental robot named Yomi.
“(Patients) love the advances (in technology),” Shankar said. “They love how we are able to relate the technology to their benefit, and we are in a very technologically advanced era moving forward. And especially with the inception of A.I., we love the technology that makes our work so much safer.”
To schedule your appointment with Dr. Shankar and meet Yomi call the office at 925-420-5030 or stop in the new office at 5611 Lone Tree Way, suite 140 or visit www.brentwooddentalexcellence.net.
To view a video, visit www.thepress.net/multimedia
Dr. Vishnu Shankar, DDS of the new Brentwood Dental Excellence brings something new to dentistry locally – a robotic
Press photo
Pets Frolic Inn
East County honors Memorial Day
By Isaac Arriaga Correspondent
Brentwood held a Memorial Day ceremony in Union Cemetery. The event was planned by the local chapters of the Veterans of Foreign War and the American Legion, as well as the Delta Diablo Det 1155 Marine Corps League. Speeches about the importance of Memorial Day were given by veterans. The annual event has been a tradition for so long that the veterans say they don’t remember when it started.
“(Memorial Day) is not about personal accomplishments,” said Commander Donald Hester of the Marine Corps League. “It’s about something greater; honor, courage, commitment, country, and the men and women who gave everything to protect those ideals those words represent.”
The speeches were followed by a 21gun salute and the playing of TAPS.
“I’m humbled to be here today, to honor the veterans here,” State District 15 Assemblymember Anamarie Avila Farias (D–Martinez) said at the event. “As someone who is serving at the state level on the Veteran And Military Commission, it’s very important for me to be connected to our veterans and make sure we provide the services and programs to them throughout the state of California.”
Brentwood Mayor Susannah Meyer, who also attended the ceremony, said afterwards, “There’s a lot of memories that
united in remembering and honoring our heroes.”
To view a video, visit www.thepress. net/multimedia
Oakley remembers America’s fallen ‘with lives lived in gratitude’
By Connor Robles Correspondent
The City of Oakley held its 12th annual Memorial Day ceremony on May 24 at Civic Center Plaza.
The event, attended by about 30 local residents, veterans, and city officials, featured speeches by Vice Mayor Hugh Henderson, Councilmember Aaron Meadows, and Oakley veterans Sgt. Michael Clement and J.R. Wilson. Clement, a member of the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Disabled American Veterans spoke about the mental health hardships suffered by veterans, as well as the loss of three friends to combat and post-service suicide.
Wilson, the president and founder of Delta Veterans Group and legislative director of the California chapter of DAV, discussed the best ways to honor the more than 1 million Americans who have died in the line of duty throughout the country’s history.
“When the last wreath is laid, we need to carry Memorial Day with us,” Wilson said. “We honor them when we raise our children well, when we choose courage over comfort, when we try to be better citizens and stewards to freedom. We remember them with lives lived in gratitude and service.”
In addition to the speeches, the ceremony included a presentation of col-
ors and a memorial wreath by Heritage High’s Air Force JROTC Color Guard, the singing of the national anthem by young singer Arianna Abeoja, a Pledge of Allegiance led by Cub Scout Pack 152, and a reading of the poem “In Flanders Fields” by Oakley Youth Advisory Council chairperson Yuliana Luna.
To view a video, visit www.thepress. net/multimedia
Wine-and-cola drinks are woven into local culture from Spain to Argentina to South Africa.
Wine and cola? Really?! A surprisingly popular pairing globally
For wine purists, the idea of mixing red wine with Coca-Cola might seem like sacrilege. But in many parts of the world, this unexpected combination is a beloved — and refreshingly casual — tradition.
Whether born of necessity or creative rebellion, wine-and-cola drinks are woven into local culture from Spain to Argentina to South Africa. I came across the concept while preparing a wine class on Spain and Portugal. The idea initially scared me, but curiosity won out. I started digging into these summer-friendly blends and discovered a fascinating, global phenomenon.
Uncorked:
History by
tHe Glass
Frank MaiUri
Spain’s Kalimotxo (pronounced calee-MO-cho) is probably the best-known version. Said to have originated in the Basque Country in the 1970s, it mixes equal parts red wine and Coca-Cola over ice, often with a slice of lemon. Originally a way to mask bad wine, it’s now a
staple at festivals and casual gatherings.
In Argentina, wine and cola is a goto among young people — sweet, fizzy, and perfect for stretching a bottle during warm-weather hangouts. South Africa has its own version called Katemba (also sometimes called Calimocho), which enjoys similar popularity in informal settings.
Germany’s Rotwein-Cola is just what it sounds like: red wine mixed with Coca-Cola, typically served cold and often enjoyed by younger crowds looking for an easygoing, inexpensive drink. In Portugal, mixing red wine with lemon soda (Gasosa) is common, while in Greece, retsina is often mellowed with Sprite or 7Up.
What ties these drinks together? They’re unfussy, inexpensive, and pair well with community, celebration, and hot summer days.
They may not win any sommelier awards — but they’re fun, refreshing, and a little rebellious.
So, if you’ve got a splash of red wine and a bottle of Coke, give Kalimotxo a shot. It might just surprise you!
Enjoy a unique and tasty take on pork
Few foods boast the versatility of pork. Pork can be grilled, smoked, slow cooked, fried, or baked, and professional and amateur chefs alike know there’s no end to the recipes where pork is the main attraction.
Cultures across the globe feature pork in their native cuisines, which means it’s possible to go anywhere in the world and enjoy a new and delicious pork dish. This recipe for “Matambre de Cerdo (Stuffed Pork Tenderloin)” from James Campbell Caruso’s “España: Exploring the Flavors of Spain” (Gibbs Smith) showcases a Spanish take on pork. The recipe might provide insight into Spanish cuisine for those who have never been to Spain, while those who have might be instantly transported back to southwestern Europe with their first delicious bite.
Matambre de Cerdo
(Stuffed Pork Tenderloin) Serves 4
2 pork tenderloins, trimmed of fat Salt and pepper
1⁄2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 yellow onion, diced 4 cloves garlic, slivered
1⁄2 cup finely diced jamón serrano
4 cups diced mushrooms
2 tablespoons chopped parsley
1 tablespoon chopped sage
1⁄2 cup Spanish white wine
Heat the oven to 350 F. Open the tenderloins with a full-length cut that goes about 3⁄4 of the way through the meat. Flatten out the tenderloin and season it on both sides with salt and pepper. Set aside.
Heat the olive oil in a skillet, and sauté the onion and garlic on medium heat for 12 minutes. Add the jamón, mushrooms, parsley, and sage; continue cooking for 20 minutes. Add the wine and cook for 5 more minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool. Spread the mixture over the flattened tenderloin. Roll the tenderloin around the filling and set it on a sheet pan with the seam side down. Roast in the oven for 25 minutes. Remove from the oven and cut into 1-inch slices. Serve 2 slices per plate.
Image courtesy of Wine Enthusiast
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.
This Week’s Events
Friday, May 30
Heritage High School Improv Night
Kick off the weekend with the Heritage High School Improv Show at 7 p.m. at the school, 101 American Ave. in Brentwood. The Improv Team will make up the whole evening on the spot with characters, song lyrics, situations, and whole scenes to entertain guests. Tickets are $5 per person, and are available at https:// hhsrisingstars.seatyourself.biz. Online sales only, no cash at the door.
Saturday, May 31
Mess Fest 2025 in Brentwood
This festival will be at Veterans Park, 3841 Balfour Road in Brentwood, from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Have fun at the messiest event of the year, packed with oobleck, slime, mud pies, and a Color Run. Last year, the event raised $4,000 for the Bay Area Crisis Nursery. Since 1981, the nursery has provided a safe haven and support to families in need, working to prevent child abuse and neglect. Kids should wear clothes that can get messy and bring a towel and a change of clothes. Tickets are $15 per child. To donate or to purchase tickets, visit https://givebutter.com/mDwKeX.
Farm Fest Fundraiser to Support Local Cancer Patient Colten Guerra
The free family-friendly event will take place at Halo Farms, 18700 Marsh Creek Road in Brentwood, from noon-4 p.m. Attendees will be able to feed 57 different animals, enjoy games, attractions and photo opportunities. There will be vendors, food trucks and raffle prizes. All proceeds will go directly to the Guerra Family to help with 14-year-old Colten Guerra’s ongoing treatment and care. He has been battling neuroblastoma, a rare and aggressive form of childhood cancer for the past 10 years. For more information, to support the cause, or to become a sponsor of the event, contact Patricia Piquero at 925-709-4333 or dnp.brentwood@gmail.com. Visit the Team Hulken Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1540008532941472
“The Music We Share” – A Joyful Celebration of Song
The Brentwood Community Chorus will present their spring concert “The Music We Share” at 2 p.m. at Bristow Middle School, 855 Minnesota Ave. in Brentwood. This season, they bring together timeless choral works and contemporary gems in a program featuring harmonies of Johannes Brahms and Sergei Rachmaninoff, the lyrics of Gerald Finzi, and the energy of Sydney Guillaume. Advanced general admission tickets $20 and $10 for students. At the door, admission will be $25 for general admission and $15 for students. Children ages 12 and under are admitted free. Raffle tickets and concessions will be for sale in the lobby. For more information, visit brentwoodcommunitychorus.com.
Silent Youth Disco in Brentwood
The event will take place at the Brentwood Veterans Memorial Building, 757 First St., from 5-10 p.m. It will be an evening of dancing, music, and food. There will be two shows, the first is for families to enjoy the Silent Disco experience with their children from 5-7 p.m. There will be three music channels available for guests to listen to while wearing wireless headphones. Everyone must purchase an admission ticket, and children must be accompanied by an adult. The cost is $15 per headphones. The second show is for youth ages 13-18 from 8-10 p.m. This show includes two music channels and a live DJ playing today’s hits. The cost is $20 per headphone. High school identification is required, and a waiver must be signed by a parent. There are
only 200 headphones available per show. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to Ron Nunn Elementary School and Brentwood Police Activities League. For more information or for tickets, call 925-595-5736.
Oakley Rotary 6th Annual Gala
The gala will be held at La Grande Estates, 1799 Carpenter Drive in Oakley, from 5:30-9 p.m. Tickets are $75 per person for this event presented by the Rotary Club of Oakley. All proceeds benefit the local community and service projects, notably the Christmas Toy and Food Basket program. To purchase tickets, contact Brenda at 925-382-7057 or email oakleyrotary@gmail.com.
On the Horizon
Saturday, June 7
Swing Fore a Cause Charity Golf Tournament
Soroptimist International of Antioch is having their annual Swing Fore a Cause Golf Tournament at Lone Tree Golf Course at 4800 Golf Course Road in Antioch, with a 8 a.m. shot gun start. The cost is $175 for an individual or $700 for a team of four. Those interested in playing or sponsoring a team can email Debbie Miller at debbie@mobilenotary.net for information or call 925-584-2757. Donations are tax deductible. The event will support the Soroptimists, whose activities help women and girls locally and throughout the world. For more information, visit www.si-antioch.org. 2025 East Bay Annual Music, Food, Art and Wine Festival
The festival will take place from noon-5 p.m. at Williamson Ranch Park, Williamson Ranch Drive and Hillcrest Avenue. There will be soul food, baked potatoes, sweet treats, tacos, burgers, a wine garden with craft wine and sampling, local art and craft vendors and live entertainment. General admission is free. For wine garden tickets (only for ages 21 and older) visit www.eventbrite.com/e/130606686 4149?aff=oddtdtcreator. For more information call 925-204-5182. The event is sponsored by Forward Economic Development Association and Kiwanis Northern California Literacy Club.
Friday, June 13
Caregiver OneCall Awareness Event
Caregiver OneCall invites everyone to their Awareness Event from 4:30–7 p.m. at TriVesta, 3950 Lone Tree Way in Antioch. Learn how they are changing the lives of caregivers, one call at a time. Meet the team, hear stories, enjoy refreshments, and enter a raffle sponsored by local businesses. Donations encouraged. Every dollar supports a caregiver in financial need. RSVP ast www.zeffy.com/ticketing/awarenesslaunch. For more information on Caregiver OneCall, visit www.caregiveronecall.org.
Saturday, June 14
Juneteenth Celebration in Oakley
Oakley is hosting a Juneteenth Celebration in Civic Center Plaza, 3231 Main St,, from 10 a.m.1 p.m. There will be music, food, and vendors. The community is invited to come together to highlight Black voices. For more information, visit secure.rec1.com/CA/oakley-ca/catalog.
Thursday, June 19
Juneteenth Celebration in Brentwood
This free event presented by the City of Brentwood will take place from 4-8 p.m. at City Park downtown. There will be live music, food trucks, kids activities, craft vendors, educational booths, and musical guest Digital Underground. For more information, visit www.brentwoodca.gov.
Juneteenth: A Freedom Celebration in Antioch
Celebrate this Juneteenth with the City of
Looking for more things to do?
Look at the many local events on
Antioch from 4-8 p.m. at Williamson Ranch Park. This year marks the fourth annual city-sponsored Juneteenth Celebration, where the community comes together to honor freedom and culture and the richness of African-American heritage. This event features live performances, music, food, activities for kids and adults, and more.
Saturday, June 28
Oakley Summer Fest Parade
This year’s theme is “Past, Present and Unstoppable Future.” It will celebrate the history, present and future. Everyone is invited to show their spirit and enjoy parade floats of businesses, neighborhoods, clubs, and community groups. The parade will take place from 9-10 a.m., and will start at 3650-3660 Main St.
The parade, presented by the Oakley Chamber of Commerce, will be a journey through time, honoring Oakley’s roots, celebrating today’s heartbeat and dreaming big for tomorrow.
Oakley Summer Fest
Presented by Oakley Chamber of Commerce, Oakley Summer Fest will take place from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at Civic Center Plaza. Each year, residents celebrate Oakley’s incorporation at Summer Fest. The event kicks off with a parade down Main Street and continues in Civic Center Plaza with live music, performances from local dance groups, craft vendors, food trucks, carnival games, face painting and more. For more information, visit www.oakleyca. gov/369/Special-Events.
‘Cruisin’ Through History’ Car Show
The car show will take place from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at 3890 Sellers Ave. in Brentwood. The free event presented by the East Contra Costa Historical Society will feature raffles, food trucks, vendors and games. All proceeds will benefit East Contra Costa Historical Society. For more information, visit www.eastcontracostahistory.org.
Uncorked-Wine, Dine and Dance the Night Away Fundraiser
Raise a glass and make a difference by joining Soroptimist International of the Delta from 5-9 p.m. at DeLuna Ranch, 7540 Balfour Road in Brentwood. Toast to an evening of wine, friends and purpose. Tickets are $75, and include wine tasting, dinner, dessert and entertainment. There will be raffle prizes and a silent auction. Proceeds support the mission of Soroptimist International of the Delta to raise scholarship money to improve the lives of local women and girls. Purchase tickets at http://siofthedelta.com.
Immaculate Heart of Mary Italian Catholic Federation Sock Hop Dinner Dance Fundraiser
All are invited to shake, rattle-n-roll at the ‘50s Sock Hop Dinner Dance. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church Hall, 500 Fairview Ave. in Brentwood. Dinner will be from 6-7 p.m. and will include hamburgers, hot dogs, french fries, and ice cream. There will be a DJ and a no-host cash bar with beer, wine and soda. Tickets are $40 per person (make checks payable to Italian Catholic Federation). Profits will go towards local kids’ scholarships and other Italian Catholic Federation charities. Attire with a ‘50s theme is encouraged, and there will be a prize for the best dressed. To purchase tickets, contact Michael Valenti (1mfv2@ comcast.net, 925-212-6963), Laura Pierce (laurapierce7@gmail.com, 408-219-4263), Ana Ellenberger (aellenberger@ihmbrentwood.com, 650-704-6394), or Sandi Gamble (sanpilebousquet@gmail.com, 925-550-3723).
Let’s Shake, Rattle -n-Roll ‘50s Sock Hop Doors open at 5:30 p.m. at the Immaculate Heart of Mary church hall (500 Fairview Ave. in Brentwood), and ‘50s theme attire is encouraged with prizes to the best-dressed dancers. Dinner of hamburgers, hot dogs, French fries and ice cream
is from 6-7 p.m. Beer, wine, soda and water are available for purchase via Beverage Ticket. To get tickets, email Michael at 1mfv2@comcast.net or call 925-212-6963, Laura at laurapierce7@gmail. com or call 408-219-4263, or Ana at aellenberger@ihmbrentwood/com or call 650-704-6394.
Saturday, July 12
Peddlers in the Park Summer Shop and Show
This free family-friendly event will take place from 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at City Park in Brentwood, 790 2nd Street. There will be vendors with a wide variety of products, jumbo games to play for the family, live music, various food vendors and mimosas. For more information, email chillLifeEvents3@gmail.com or visit www.facebook. com/ChillLifeEvents.
Ongoing Events
East County Rotary Club Meetings
Brentwood: The Brentwood Rotary Club meets weekly on Monday at noon at the Club Los Meganos Event Center at 1700 Trilogy Parkway in Brentwood. For more information, visit www. brentwoodrotaryclub.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 www. 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 www.facebook.com/ antiochrotaryclub.
The Rotary Club of the Delta: The Rotary Club of the Delta meets weekly on Wednesdays at 7 a.m. at Denny’s, 4823 Lone Tree Way in Antioch. For more information, visit 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 the Brentwood Community Center, 35 Oak St. in Brentwood. For more information, visit: www.eclubhouse.org/sites/brentwoodca/.
Antioch: The Antioch Lions Club meets every second and fourth Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the Denny’s on Delta Fair Blvd.
Discovery Bay: The Discovery Bay Lions Club meets the first Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at the Discovery Bay Yacht Club. For more information, visit: https://discoverybaylions.com/ who-we-are/meetings/.
Byron: The Byron Delta Lions Club meets every first Friday of each month at 10 a.m. at St. Anne’s Church for more information https://e-clubhouse. org/sites/byron_delta/.
St. Anthony’s Church
Food Distribution
Oakley Senior Center food distribution has moved out of their previous location. For the foreseeable future, they will be operating out of St. Anthony’s Church at 971 O’Hara Ave. in Oakley on Thursdays from 1-2 p.m. Residents are asked to bring their own bags/containers. For more information, call 925-783-0818. Call to confirm hours for special holiday distributions.
Attention commercial venues! The Press is excited to announce we are now allowing commercial venues, bars and for-profit events to list your events in The Press’s weekly printed community calendar. For only $25 per week, it will include 55-60 words or a 380-390 character count with bigger font and will be hotlinked to your website on the e-Press. To place your event, let us know by Friday at noon for the following Fridays publication at ads@brentwoodpress.com or call 925-634-1441.
Local Chef Archie S&Q fuels kindness at Troop Pack event
For 15 years, Chef Archie Lee Smith Jr. has quietly served up meals for the youth of the annual Brentwood Troop Pack event. His dedication to the cause and to the community was rewarded recently when he received a donation of Kingsford charcoal, a testament to the community’s appreciation for his support. The pallet of charcoal was a gift from Brentwood Napa Auto Parts, Operation Creekside, and the annual Troop Pack Committee.
Brentwood declares June 5 to be John Marsh Day
The city of Brentwood will recognize June 5 as John Marsh Day following a proclamation at the May 27 meeting of the City Council. Mayor Susannah Meyer and Councilmember Tony Oerlemans presented the proclamation to John Marsh Historic Trust chairperson Bob Jones. “John Marsh was a pioneering figure in California history, recognized as one of the state’s earliest American settlers and advocates for public education and statehood,” the proclamation reads in part. “His contributions to agriculture, diplomacy with Native American tribes, and the development of Contra Costa County are enduring and significant.” More information on the John Marsh House is at www johnmarshhouse com/
Diablo Sunrise honors three new Eagle Scouts
Areeb Syed
Areeb Syed with Diablo Sunrise Troop 786 of Brentwood was awarded Eagle Rank on May 15. Areeb’s Eagle Project was building a Little Library in Veterans Park for the Brentwood Parks and Recreation Department. Areeb says that this is where people can take or leave books or read at the park. For this project, he first fundraised using GoFundMe and then bought the materials online and from local stores. He then led volunteers in the building, painting, and sealing of the library, then coordinated with the Parks and Recreation commission dept. to install the library. The Little Library will encourage reading and visiting parks.
Kevin Straight
Kevin Kyler Straight has earned the title of Diablo Sunrise Eagle Scout. Kevin was awarded Eagle Rank on April 17, 2025. He is a member of Troop 90 in Brentwood. Kyler’s Eagle Project was the Cecy Martinez Memorial Bench at Edna Hill Middle School. He led a team of Scouts to build a memorial bench in honor of Cecelia “Cecy” Martinez, who grew up locally, attended Edna Hill Middle School, and returned after college to teach at Mary Casey Black Elementary. Martinez also coached soccer and volunteered with youth. She passed away in February 2024 from metastatic breast cancer, leaving her fiancé and their young daughter. In addition to installing the new bench for Ms. Martinez, he also oversaw his team as they cleaned and restored the other benches in the Edna Hill memorial garden.
Samuel Krey
The newes Diablo Sunrise Eagle Scout is Samuel Krey with Troop 514 of Discovery Bay. Sam was awarded Eagle Rank on May 15. His Eagle Project was rebuilding a wall ball court for the community center in Discovery Bay. Sam says the community center there was this practice wall. Over the years, this wall had deteriorated to a point it was unusable. He worked with the community center to tear down, rebuild, paint, and set up a new practice wall.
EDITORIALS, LETTERS & COMMENTARY
O pini O n
Fire Station 94 is crucial for
Brentwood residents’ safety
Editor:
Have you ever waited for a fire truck or other first responder? Every second counts when a life or property is at risk, and rebuilding the downtown Brentwood fire station is crucial for residents’ safety.
Currently, Brentwood is limited in its emergency response with only Station 92 on the western edge of the city. That is not enough for a city of 65,000 residents. By contrast, Oakley has two stations serving more than 45,000 residents, and Antioch has four stations serving 117,000 residents.
To meet the fully staffed and equipped levels for a community our size, Brentwood requires three stations. Taxpayers have provided the funding, and fire district leadership is ready to rebuild a new station downtown and another station in North Brentwood.
Now the Brentwood City Council just needs to give the green light.
Many Brentwood residents are being hit by massive fire insurance rate hikes, and the East Bay Times reports that Brentwood’s 94513 ZIP code has the most policy non-renewals in the Bay Area. Without building more fire stations, the problem will only get worse.
Both public safety and equity demand the station be placed downtown. There were 2,400 calls for service in 2024 within 1.5 miles of Station 94’s planned location. This neighborhood is home to some of Brentwood’s most economically disadvantaged, and they deserve the same response times as other neighborhoods.
As the county supervisor representing more than 240,000 residents, I also look at how our fire protection system protects the entirety of East County.
In 2024 alone, there were 1,393 emergencies in Brentwood that required personnel and resources from Antioch, Oakley, Discovery Bay and beyond. That means nearly four times a day, other cities were missing their firefighters because Brentwood had only one station. It is unfair to ask those cities to continue sending their crews to Brentwood when the City Council can approve a station on June 10 and have construction begin within weeks.
Contact the City Council today with a clear message: No more delays. With their approval, we can get it done quicker, cheaper and make our community safer.
Supervisor Diane Burgis Brentwood
Have something to say? Post a comment or submit a letter to the editor at www.thepress.net/site/forms.
Letters to the editor
An uncomfortable truth about planning and responsibility
Editor:
It is deeply disheartening to witness a public official deflect accountability and shift blame onto those who are doing exactly what they were appointed to do – protect the integrity of Brentwood’s planning process.
Supervisor Diane Burgis’s recent comments in The Press do not demonstrate leadership. They expose something far more troubling – a lack of planning, a disregard for public process, and an attempt to politicize a problem created by the very institutions now casting blame.
What is embarrassing is that residents had to do the fire district’s homework for them. That it was residents – not city staff, not the county, and not the fire district – who rediscovered the ready-tobe-built, CEQA-cleared site on Sand Creek Road that was originally intended to replace the downtown fire station. The fact that this location was never reconsidered demonstrates either negligence or a stubborn refusal to change course in light of better options.
The May 6 vote by the Planning Commission was about design review –not about fire response or the emotional appeals Burgis uses to distract from the real issue. It was about whether the proposed building met the standards of Brentwood’s Downtown Specific Plan. It did not.
The commissioners found the design inconsistent with the established plan that guides all downtown development. That’s not “reckless.” That’s responsible governance.
It is insulting to hear Burgis dismiss this thoughtful, unanimous decision with fear-based rhetoric. Her attempt to boil the meeting down to one offhand comment about a gym ignores the dozens of specific concerns raised by both the commissioners and the public.
The Planning Commission did their job with integrity and focus. They represented the interests of the community, not those of political convenience. That Burgis is now vilifying them for standing in the way of what increasingly looks like a rushed monument to her political ambition is not only transparent, it is unfortunate. Public safety matters. So does responsible planning. Brentwood deserves both.
Let’s stop the misdirection and start the collaboration.
J. Travis
Martin
Letter writer called out for ‘a few’ Republican values Editor:
In responding to my previous letter to the editor, May 23 letter writer Bernadette Buchanan stated that she voted her conscience. She listed a few Republican policies she liked, disregarding the rest of the horrible ones. But Republican policy is not a buffet where you can pick what you like and dismiss what you don’t. People who vote Republican for one policy are also responsible for all the policies we get when Republicans are in charge.
That means that people who voted Republican also voted to gut military/ veterans’ health care. They voted to support the Jan. 6 Capitol Insurrection where cops were beaten and later died. They voted to take away health care/ Medicare away from millions. They voted to steal Social Security money from senior citizens. They voted for anti-LGBTQ bigotry. And they voted for tariffs, which are taxes on Americans that raise the cost of our products. All Republican Party policy that we get when people vote their conscience by voting Republican.
Also, it was amusing when Ms. Buchanan called me out personally, stating that I was biased and that she has different values than me. Both true. I’m biased against Trump’s immoral values that I listed in my letter.
That means that my values are: I’m biased against racists, against rapists, against Nazi sympathizers, against convicted criminals, and against anti-American insurrectionists. I don’t know why anyone would want to admit that they have different values than those, but here we are in 2025.
Kevin Cunningham 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.
Burgis’s role in controversial fire station decision questioned Editor:
In reading Supervisor Diane Burgis’ recent op-ed regarding the Planning Commission’s decision on Fire Station 94, one particular statement stood out: she mentions that Councilmember Tony Oerlemans has filed an appeal to put a stop to this madness.
This raises an important question — how does Supervisor Burgis know which council member initiated the appeal, when members of the public who inquired were only told by the City that “a council member” had pulled the item for review?
Transparency matters, especially when controversial decisions are involved. The appearance that a County Supervisor is closely coordinating or speaking on behalf of specific members of Brentwood’s City Council raises concerns about independence, impartiality, and process integrity.
We hope the City Council will clarify the source of the appeal and demonstrate that decisions are being made in the best interest of Brentwood residents — not under pressure from outside agencies or political agendas.
Paul Radliff Brentwood
Commander,
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10789
Send correspondence to The Press, 248 Oak St., Brentwood, California, 94513; or email editor@ brentwoodpress.com.
Liberty softball’s grit sends them to NCS title game
By Jeff Weisinger Staff Writer
It was about a year ago last week, May 21 to be exact, that Liberty softball’s nearstorybook run came crashing to an end at College Park High School in Pleasant Hill.
Tears were shed, disappointment was had, and a lot of ‘what if’s’ were pondered.
It’s also a day that after the game Liberty head coach Brandi Macias said, “Liberty is on the map and great things are ahead for us.”
Those great things came 372 days later after the Lady Lions clinched their spot in the North Coast Section Division 1 title game after defeating Foothill 3-1 in Brentwood in their grittiest performance of the season.
“We know the NCS is going to give us the best of the best,” Brandi Macias said. “Foothill is one of those teams. They’re gritty and we knew this was not going to be an easy win. We knew every inning was going to be important and every pitch was going to matter.”
The win also sends Liberty into its first NCS title game on a 14-game winning streak. Liberty last went to and won the NCS title in 1997.
”We just stayed persistent through the game and made sure we knew that we had each other’s backs,” Liberty junior Isabella Rice said. “We’re a very gritty team, and we come back from adversity. We’re the top seed (in the NCS playoffs), but that doesn’t
mean anything.”
The Lady Lions responded quickly to a 1-0 deficit in the third inning from a leadoff home run by Foothill’s Alexa Sponsel in the bottom half of the inning not by their trademark power hitting, but rather by small ball, scoring on walks, stolen bases, sacrifices and base hits. Junior Kelsie Skaggs dropped a bunt with Kylee McKinney and Taylor Jennings on second and first, respectively, scoring McKinney to tie the game as Foothill could not properly field the bunt. Kaitlyn Macias, followed through as well with a squeeze bunt to score Jennings to give Liberty the lead 2-1.
Liberty scored an insurance run in the fifth inning to go up 3-1 on an RBI single by
Liberty’s Kelsie Skaggs runs to first after a bunt in the Lady Lions’ NCS semifinal game against Foothill Wednesday in Brentwood.
strikeouts.
“We’ve worked so hard and we were wanting to win this game,” Skinner said. “The fact that we did just shows how much our team actually means to us and to our community.”
Skinner’s grit showed midway through the game. She ran into her toughest moment in the fourth inning, loading the bases with the Lions trying to hold onto a 2-1 lead. She allowed back-to-back singles to open the inning, then a one-out single, then found her control as she struck out Naima Braham, then she retired Sponsel on a high popout to Skaggs at shortstop to end the threat.
After that, she allowed one hit in the final three innings, a two-out single by Sponsel in the seventh inning, before striking out Sophia Burdick swinging to end the game.
Jewel Cooper, who scored Rice from third after Rice ran from first to third on a deep single by Kaitlyn Macias on the previous at-bat.
“I just wanted to be a team player,” Rice said of the sequence. “I know that I have to do that for my team, and if that means hustling from first to third, that’s what I’m gonna do. I’m just pumping my arms and running.”
The offensive fight followed the tough pitching performance by Kate Skinner, who, despite allowing the home run, continued to show her growth as a big-game pitcher.
Skinner got the complete-game win, her third straight, allowing one run (the home run) on five hits with a walk and 11
“She competes,” Brandi Macias said. “She competes so much and it’s how she responds. She gave up one hit that went over (Sponsel’s home run), but the next three outs were strikeouts. That’s Kate.”
The win sets up the Lady Lions to take on Casa Grande from Petaluma, a team that defeated Liberty 1-0 back on April 12 on a home run by the Gauchos’ Abby McSweeney.
“Knowing that we lost last time, we have to pick it up,” Rice said. “We’re coming off of a big win now, and just keeping that mentality, that winners’ mentality is really big.”
To view a video and a slideshow, visit www.thepress.net/multimedia
Freedom softball asserts a ‘We’ll be back’ mentality following NCS semifinals loss
By Juan Cebreiros Correspondent
The Freedom softball playoff run came to an end Wednesday evening as they were knocked out of North Coast Section playoffs by Alhambra 12-1 in the semifinals.
The Falcons’ playoff run was not only a major stepping stone for the program and development for the younger players, but also a sign of what’s to come for this Freedom softball team that has five freshmen and four sophomores on its roster.
“The strength of this team is how young we are,” Freedom head coach Kenny Sposito said following the playoff loss. “I dubbed this year as a ‘start-over’ year for us, so we weren’t really supposed to be where we’re at right now. We’re ahead of schedule, and I’m super excited about next season. We’ll get back after it and we’ll be here again.”
Freedom and Alhambra were scoreless through the first three innings until the bottom of the fourth when the Bulldogs added on six more runs. Two errors prolonged the inning, leading to four of the runs scored counting as unearned.
Alhambra’s second six-run rally of the day ended the game in the bottom of the sixth inning due to the mercy rule. Freedom pitcher Riley Moon left the game earlier this inning with an injury. Sposito said Moon is one of five freshmen on the squad that he calls the “heart and soul of this team.”
“It’s ride or die with her; she’s a talented young lady,”
“To get so close is disappointing,” Sposito said of losing in the semifinals. “I was sad for our seniors because that’s not the way I wanted to end the season. We let it unravel and showed our inexperience a little bit today.”
Despite the loss, Sposito was proud of his team and their season. Freedom qualified for the NCS Division 3 playoffs, and defeated two higher-seed teams, including a nearly seven-hour drive to Crescent City to deat top-seeded Del Norte without any of the team’s seniors.
Freedom also had strong showings against high-level opponents throughout the regular season. In the second game of the season, the Falcons took down an NCS Division 1 playoff team in Granada, took a 1-0 loss against a Tracy team that’s ranked 24th in the state and put up the best fight against Liberty out of all the Bay Valley Athletic League teams by pushing them to extra innings despite losing 6-5.
Sposito said of Moon. “I have another talented freshman who got hurt early in the season and she’s been gone all season. We beat Granada hands down with those two in the circle, and that’s our future right there.”
Freedom’s semifinals loss to the Bulldogs was their worst loss in terms of run differential all season. Sposito said while it’s not the way he envisioned the season ending, he felt the team’s youth is what came back to bite them Wednesday evening.
“There’s a belief now that we can get here,” Sposito said. “We’ve come a long way, the long trek up to basically Oregon to beat Del Norte was outstanding, to beat American Canyon was outstanding. I’m super proud of this team, and the best is yet to come from us. I think we went from ‘do you think we can’ to ‘we know we can’, and I’m more encouraged now than I was walking into this park today about my team and what the future holds.”
To view a video and a slideshow, visit www.thepress. net/multimedia
Freedom softball Coach Kenny Sposito talks to the team.
Photo by Juan Cebreiros
Photo by Jeff Weisinger
Evanson: Freedom ‘battled, showed resilience’ in 2025 NCS playoffs
By Jeff Weisinger Staff Writer
Freedom’s baseball team has been here before: down in the final inning, against a team that’s ranked higher than them. The late hits came, as the Falcons late-game heroics looked to be making yet another appearance until six swings ended their season.
Freedom’s 7-4 loss in the North Coast Section Division 3 semifinal at California on Tuesday afternoon encapsulated what the Falcons have been all season — a team with a ton of fight.
”There weren’t more than two games where these guys weren’t in the game all year,” Freedom head baseball coach Ken Evanson said. “They battled, they showed resilience, and that’s what I wanted them to show.”
Freedom’s loss in the semifinals comes after the Falcons rode a wild NCS playoff run.
The Falcons came back down three runs in the seventh inning to defeat James Logan on the road in extra innings in the first round playoff matchup, in a night game. Then they traveled to a 20-win El Cerrito team and shut them out while holding them to just five hits, four of them
coming in the final two innings including stranding the game-tying runs on base to end the game. Then they got dressed and went straight to prom after.
“(The playoff run has) been so fun,” senior Caleb Emmons said after the win at El Cerrito. “I love going out here with these boys every day and just battling
with them.”
The playoff loss to the Grizzlies in San Ramon ends what was an up-anddown season for the Falcons. Freedom started the season 2-2 before going on a stretch where they won three of four games and looked to have found the consistency both at the plate and on the mound that they were looking for.
That winning stretch included a win at College Park in late March, the same College Park Falcons team that is playing in this weekend’s NCS Division 1 title game.
However, league play is where things fell apart. Despite a 3-1 start to Bay Valley Athletic League play, which included a sweep against Antioch and a win at Pittsburg (then snapping the Pirates’ stretch of 14 wins in their first 15 games). However, a loss at California in late April sent the Falcons into a nosedive, sparking a fivegame losing streak before they swept Deer Valley in the regular-season finale to qualify for the postseason.
Where the seniors showed their resilience, Evanson is hoping that the underclassmen follow their footsteps heading into next year.
”I told the juniors and sophomores that it’s their job to exceed that precedent,” he said.
Freedom’s Landon Clenney jogs off of the infield during the Falcons NCS semifinal game at California High on Tuesday afternoon in San Ramon.
Photo by Jeff Weisinger
East County Revolution in do-or-die mode heading into final stretch of the season
By Jeff Weisinger Staff Writer
The East County Revolution needed a win against NorCal South division leader Selma Football Club last Saturday to keep their United Premier Soccer League playoff hopes alive. Following a 3-1 loss against Selma in Brentwood, the Revolution are now in do-or-die mode to qualify for the playoffs as they go on the road to take on Project 510, the Oakland Roots’ reserve team, Saturday in Alameda. “We struggled a little bit in the first 15, 20 minutes to find our rhythm,” Revolution head coach Sal Acevedo said. “Unfortunately, we had some (mistakes) in the back that changed the game for us.”
After holding Selma scoreless in the first half, East County fell apart defensively in the second half as Selma took charge of the match. Selma went on a scoring blitz of three goals in nine minutes, scoring the opening goal in the 68th minute by Kobe Iracheta, then again by Iracheta in the 73rd, and capped it off with a goal by Eduardo Lopez in the 77th to effectively put the match away.
“We had a chance (to win),” Acevedo said. “We felt that we were playing well enough in the first half to make adjustments and come up with the win at home. It was in
that span of 15 minutes (in the second half) that we just lost control of the game.”
The Revolution scored a goal late in the 85th minute to avoid the shutout.
“When you get down a goal or two, you start to play riskier,” attacker Trent Dardick said.
“We’re in a position now where we have to take more risks,” Acevedo said. “In the attacking third, we were in must win game situations. The players that (were subbed in) in those last 20 minutes
contributed an assist and a goal. We’re taking more chances and more risks.”
Now winless in the last five matches dating to their last win on March 23 against Acoreano Sport, the Revolution need to win their final three matches of the season and need some help to have a chance at qualifying for the postseason.
“We unfortunately lost control of our own destiny by dropping the last game,” Dardick said. “We have to kind of play the numbers now. We need a few
teams to lose, tie, here and there, to get lucky, then we just have to control what we can control. We’ve battled with all three teams that are coming up next.”
Two of three of East County’s upcoming matchups are all replays against teams that they’ve faced earlier this season, starting on Saturday against Project 510. They played to a 2-2 draw on April 13 in Brentwood. They’ll host Fresno’s Valley 559 FC at the Sunset Soccer Complex on June 8 before one last rematch on the road against Bay Area United FC on June 15. The Revolution lost to Bay Area United FC 3-2 at home on May 11.
Dardick and Acevedo are hoping that the attacking surge that they saw in the final minutes last week can tcontinues into Saturday’s match to keep the club’s playoff hopes alive.
“It’s a final for us,” Acevedo said. “We want the mindset to be there that the players leave it all on the field, because we feel that we can get the result there, but we have to be ready mentally.”
“I think we’re starting to cross that final crest in the 80th, 85th minute,” Dardick said. “I think we’re starting to play pretty well towards the end of the game, which is what I’m really excited for this weekend.”
To view a video and a slideshow, visit www.thepress.net/multimedia
East County Revolution prepares for Saturday’s match during their training session Wednesday night at Freedom High School in Oakley.
Photo by Jeff Weisinger
REGIONAL & LOCAL
News iN Brief
Entries open for Oakley’s second annual Summer Fest parade
The Oakley Chamber of Commerce invites residents, businesses, schools, nonprofits, and marching groups to participate in the second annual Summer Fest Parade on Saturday, June 28.
The parade begins at 9 a.m. on Main Street, continues along Main Street, and concludes at Civic Center Park, where Summer Fest where there will be food trucks, live music, kids activities, and a community resource fair until 3 p.m., according to a press release from the city. Entry categories include floats, walking groups, equestrian units, dance teams, vintage vehicles, civic organizations, and business showcases. Participation is free.
The deadline to apply to participate in the parade is Friday, June 6 (space is limited; first-come, first-served). To sign up, visit https://forms.gle/T6iigURNSkWVCUY17.
“Last year’s inaugural parade drew hundreds of spectators and more than 30 creative entries,” said Anissa Williams, Oakley Council member and parade liaison, in the press release. “We can’t wait to see how our community tops itself this year—whether bigger floats, spirited marching bands, or classic cars.”
Oakley Summer Fest is the city’s signature kickoff to the season — an all-ages celebration of community, culture, and civic pride.
Main Street between 4th Street to Vintage Parkway will be closed to traffic from 8 a.m. – 11 a.m., the release stated. Free parking is available at the Mercantile Building, which includes ample ADAcompliant parking.
For details, visit www.oakleyca.gov/ summerfest.
Changes to work rule disqualifications affecting CalFresh
Individuals will no longer lose CalFresh benefits if they do not follow work rules for CalWORKs Welfare-to-Work, unemployment benefits, or similar programs like General Assistance or Refugee Resettlement.
If you or someone in your household lost CalFresh benefits because they did not follow the work rules for CalWORKs, unemployment, or similar programs, they might now be able to get CalFresh again. Applications and additional information can be found at www.benefitscal. com or through the local CalFresh office.
Supervisors’ goal affects small businesses interested in working
with county
The Board of Supervisors has set a goal of awarding at least 50% of eligible product and service dollars to small businesses through the Small Business Enterprise (SBE) Program.
The following businesses are part of
the SBE Program: small, disabled veteran, disadvantaged, local, women, and minority businesses. The County developed a guide in multiple languages and a short video that provides an overview of how to register to do business with the County and view formal solicitations.
To learn more about business opportunities in Contra Costa County, visit the Purchasing Services website at www.contracosta.ca.gov/purchasing.
State offers boating infrastructure grants for marina operators
The State Parks’ Division of Boating and Waterways is now accepting letters of intent from public and private marina owners interested in applying for the federal boating infrastructure grant program.
These grants can fund up to 75% of total project costs, with a maximum award of $1.5 million. Once potential projects are identified, applicants will be invited to submit full proposals. Letters of intent will be accepted through Friday, June 13, according to a press release from the state.
Funded by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Trust Fund, the boating infrastructure grant is a competitive program open to both publicly and privately owned marinas to renovate or construct visitor docks, restrooms, gangways, and dockside utility hook-ups to serve recreational boaters with vessels 26 feet or longer, with stays of fewer than 15 days.
Recreational boaters would benefit from approved grant projects as they would:
•Enhance access to recreational, historic, cultural and scenic resources.
•Strengthen community ties to waterfront and increase economic benefits.
•Promote public/private partnerships and entrepreneurial opportunities.
•Provide continuity of public access to the shore.
•Promote awareness of transient boating opportunities.
Interested applicants should first review the program guidelines at https:// dbw.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=28821&utm_ medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery to determine if they meet the necessary requirements. Grants are available to qualifying projects on a competitive basis. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ranks and scores grant requests according to need, access, cost efficiency, matching funds, and innovations that improve user access to the waterways.
The state boating and waterways department, as the pass-through entity for the grant application process, reviews each application and submits the most eligible projects to the Fish and Wildlife Service to compete against applicants from other states and territories.
Marina operators eligible to compete in this program can receive more information by contacting Ethan Tratner at Ethan.Tratner@parks.ca.gov or (916) 902-8823.
To submit a news item for this page, send it to editor@brentwoodpress.com
Sabbatical Distillery wins double gold medal at the 2025 San Francisco World Spirits Competition
Sabbatical Distillery takes home the highest award for its Single Barrel Select Straight Bourbon Whiskey and received a judges’ score of 97. This year’s top win builds on Double Gold and Gold Medal wins in the 2024 competition adding to the distillery’s growing collection of awards from the largest and most prestigious spirits competition in the world.
“The Double Gold designation is awarded to the very few entries that receive Gold medal ratings by all members of the judging panel,” said Sabbatical co-founder Danny Leonard. “These are among the finest products in the world.”
“For this year’s competition, we selected just a single new product to submit which was fittingly, our exclusive Single Barrel Bourbon selection, bottled one barrel at a time and at barrel strength. We are so proud to receive this new Double Gold Medal recognition for our hand-selected single barrel program. We recently launched this style exclusively for our Club members, and quickly sold out, as a way to say ‘thank you’ for their support. Now we have the hardware to back up our gratitude and can’t wait to release the next barrel!”
Sabbatical’s Single Barrel Select Bourbon program is available to Club Sabbatical members and at select retail partners in the Bay Area when exclusive Barrel selections are available. The distillery plans to release more barrels across both networks in the coming months.
In less than four years in the market, Sabbatical has received top honors from the most important global competition in the industry.
See full list of 2025 results at https:// thetastingalliance.com/events/san-francisco-world-spirits-competition
California applies to expand essential health benefits to include IVF, hearing exams
Gov. Newsom has submitted an application through the Department of Managed Health Care to the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to update California’s health plan.
The new benchmark plan would expand coverage requirements for essential health benefits in the individual and small group markets starting in 2027, following approval, the governor’s office said in a press release. That expanded coverage would include services to such fertility treatments, annual hearing exams and hearing aids, and mobility devices such as walkers, manual and power wheelchairs, and scooters.
The federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires health plans in the individual and small group markets to offer a comprehensive package of services, the essential health benefits,
which must cover 10 broad categories of services, including primary care, hospital services, prescription drugs, and emergency and urgent care services. Within these broad categories, a state can decide what specific services plans must cover by selecting its benchmark plan, which sets forth the coverage requirements, the press release stated.
The Department of Managed Health Care has been working over the last year with the Newsom administration and Legislature to update California’s plan, including holding public meetings to share information on expanding the essential health benefits and the process to update the state’s plan. If approved, the new plan requirements would take effect Jan. 1, 2027.
Contra Costa Sanitary District recognized as a leading wastewater treatment facility
The California Water Environment Association (CWEA) recognized 15 organizations, including the Contra Costa Sanitary District, for their exceptional contributions to safeguarding California’s water resources.
The recent 96th Annual CWEA awards ceremony celebrated these champions of innovation and dedication, selected from over 250 applications, according to a press release.
For nearly a century, the CWEA Awards program has set the standard for excellence in California’s water sector, honoring leaders in engineering, wastewater operations, collection systems, laboratory sciences, and pretreatment programs. Award recipients undergo a rigorous application process and are judged by their peers in the water sector, ensuring that only the most deserving are recognized for their dedication to advancing water quality and sustainability.
Among the Contra Costa County 2025 CWEA awards organization recipients:
•Collection Systems, Large (More than 500 miles):
•Central Contra Costa Sanitary District
Martinez
•Dr. Jenkins Research Achievement:
Innovative Nutrient Pilot
Central Contra Costa Sanitary District
•Community Engagement and Outreach: Project of the Year, Large (more than 20 million gallons per day):
Collection System
Central Contra Costa Sanitary District
•Mechanical Technician Person of the Year:
•Brian Walters, Central Contra Costa Sanitary District
For more information about the California Water Environment Awards and to see the full list of award recipients, visit cwea.org.
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‘Dixieland Jazz’ – how the name has hurt the music
Explorations in Jazz
Welcome back. When the topic for this column was suggested to me, I had to give some thought as to whether I could put aside my feelings about the term “Dixieland Jazz ‘’ being racist. I’m pretty sure some of you may disagree with some of my comments, but keep in mind that what I write here represents my own impressions of how I interpret what I have read to write this article. I do believe that some people who use that phrase are well intentioned and have never considered racial implications but having listened to jazz for over 50 years and talked to musicians. I believe as they do that it is a racist phrase.
Those individuals who have accepted ‘Dixieland Jazz’ for years and have volunteered in Dixieland Jazz Societies will naturally consider someone who comes along and tells them the phrase is racist as an ignorant fool. But this music, which was introduced to people, is a combination of Africaninspired tones with those of the blues.
To truly understand to a degree how this phrase really has no actual tie to this New Orleans style of music, everything was said and done to take this music from being a Black-oriented form and transforming it into white legitimate music.
This music, which I call Hot Jazz or Traditional Jazz that is played in New Orleans, is credited with being first played by Charles “Buddy” Bolden born Sept. 8, 1877 in the Uptown section of New Orleans. Bolden was a talented cornet player (an instrument like the trumpet) who stirred dancers into what some said was a “frenzy” when he played the Black dance halls, and caused the patrons to shout “Play it, King Bolden!” Bolden led a band during this time that is generally considered the first group to play what we call jazz music today.
Many of Bolden’s followers loved to dance, and many came from the underbelly of New Orleans’ Black Storyville neighborhood. Whites enjoyed this music just as much as the Black populace but could not bring themselves to admit it openly. So they started referring to this music as ‘the devil’s music,’ and was found only in establishments such as darkie saloons, or houses of ill repute. At some point, it was referred to as Ragtime (Raggedy music). This music became so popular that whites could no longer deny that it was a music that defined New Orleans, and what was considered a mainstay of New Orleans culture. So in order to claim it as their own they developed the phrase Dixieland
Jazz. This phrase gave what they felt was a legitimate outlet for whites to openly listen to this Traditional Jazz, or Hot Jazz, which are the true terms, and bring it to be played in what they considered to be the more appropriate venues -- white clubs, and dance halls.
The only problem they still had was that this music was really being played only by Black musicians. As this music moved into the 20th century, the biggest Traditional Jazz Band was Joseph Nathan Oliver, better known as King Oliver. To legitimize his band, you will notice from the picture above , his band was called King Oliver and his Dixie Syncopators. Also, Louie Armstrong was a very important part of this musical form, if not the face, but one concession he had to make when recording his music was also the inclusion of the word Dixieland in the title of his albums as also displayed in the accompanying picture.
It is important to note that Black musicians playing this style music in Europe will say it is not Dixieland, but New Orleans Jazz, or Traditional Style Jazz. We should follow their lead. The whole concept of “Dixieland Jazz” also is rather far-fetched since the advances in jazz after it became a craze in 1917 occurred outside of New Orleans.
Most Black jazz musicians associate the word “Dixieland” with the racist aspects of a time in this country when the South was known for the strict rules of segregation, lynchings, and portraying a legitimate Black art form of music to be played in gross productions of “minstrel shows”. When Black musicians were playing this music, it was referred to as Ragtime, the term Dixieland Jazz appeared when the group The Original Dixieland Jazz Band recorded their first album in 1917. The term Dixieland Jazz was
used. This group was an all-white band, which is kind of ironic that they should record this music first when the music was being played by ‘Jelly Roll’ Morton, Kid Ory, King Oliver, and Armstrong who was probably the most famous of all the players. But no one offered to record them.
It is a shame that to legitimize any art form you must relate it to a specific group of ethnic individuals, but unfortunately that is the nature of our society. Jazz musicians today don’t care to use the term and have in some instances just ignored it and moved on.
There are many who have read this far and are honestly thinking, “How is Dixieland racist?”
They never considered the concept before. “Dixieland Jazz” is still talked about in schoolbooks in this day and age. It is still listed in Wikipedia as referring to all pre-Swing styles of jazz (Swing was a term used regarding music played in Harlem) rather than to a specific revival style. If those are to be held as the ultimate authorities, then people who insist it means pre-Swing jazz may be correct.
I would counter that “colored” also has its archaic connotation in the dictionary, as it should for anyone needing to look it up. The problem with “colored,” for anyone wondering, is the association with the Jim Crow era color line. We might even use it now rather than people of color but hurt clings to the word from an earlier age when it had legal implications. The phrase Dixieland Jazz carries a similar hurt for not only a significant portion of the jazz community of musicians, but also people who love Traditional Jazz Music.
So, until next time, remember: “Dixieland” is a negative name with connections to the confederacy.
ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME PETITIONER OR ATTORNEY: Nabil Taif SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF CONTRA COSTA, 725 Court Street Martinez, CA 94553 PETITION OF: Nabil Taif CASE NUMBER: N25-0928
TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: 1. Peti-
tioner Nabil Taif, Nabil Taif filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: Present Name: a. Nabil Taif to Proposed Name: Archer Nabil Taif. 2. THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter shall appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing. NOTICE OF
HEARING a. Date: 08/18/2025 Time: 9 AM Dept.: 30 b. The address of the court is same as noted above. 3. a. A copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation, printed in this county: Brentwood Press b. Need proof of residency. Date: May 09 2025 Judge of the Superior Court Brentwood Press Brentwood Press No. 02-1273 Publish Dates: May 30, June 6, 13, 20, 2025
NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF: O C CROSBY, deceased CASE NUMBER P25-00705 To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both, of: O C CROSBY, deceased. A Petition for Probate has been filed by: LADINA SIMS in the Superior Court of California, County of: CONTRA COSTA The
Petition for Probate requests that: LADINA SIMS be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent. The petition requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act. (This authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions without obtaining court approval. Before taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representative will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action.) The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority. A hearing on the petition will be held in this court as follows: a. Date: JUNE 09 2025 Time: 9:00 AM Dept: #30. b. Address of court: 725 COURT ST., MARTINEZ CA 94553. If you object to the granting of the petition, you should appear at the hearing and state your objections or file written objections with the court before
the hearing. Your appearance may be in person or by your attorney. If you are a creditor or a contingent creditor of the decedent, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within the later of either (1) four months from the date of first issuance of letters a general personal representative as defined in section 58(b) of the California Probate Code, or (2) 60 days from the date of mailing or personal delivery to you of a notice under section 9052 of the California Probate Code. Other California statutes and legal authority may affect your rights as a creditor. You may want to consult with an attorney knowledgeable in California law. You may examine the file kept by the court. If you are a person interested in the estate, you may file with the court a Request for Special Notice (form DE-154) of the filing of an inventory and appraisal of estate assets or of any petition or account as provided in Probate Code section 1250. A Request for Special Notice form is available from the court clerk. Attorney for Petitioner:
Nick Hoban
1150 Ninth Street, Suite 1430 Modesto, CA 95354 (209) 575-5008
*BRENTWOOD PRESS* 02-1273
Brentwood Press No. 02-1273
Publish Dates: May 23, 30, June 6, 2025
NOTICE OF PETITION TO ADMINISTER ESTATE OF: EMILIO OROZCO, deceased CASE NUMBER P25-00636 To all heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, contingent creditors, and persons who may otherwise be interested in the will or estate, or both, of: EMILIO OROZCO, deceased.
A Petition for Probate has been filed by: GILA FERNANDEZ in the Superior Court of California, County of: CONTRA COSTA The Petition for Probate requests that: GILA FERNANDEZ be appointed as personal representative to administer the estate of the decedent. The petition requests authority to administer the estate under the Independent Administration of Estates Act. (This authority will allow the personal representative to take many actions with-
out obtaining court approval. Before taking certain very important actions, however, the personal representative will be required to give notice to interested persons unless they have waived notice or consented to the proposed action.) The independent administration authority will be granted unless an interested person files an objection to the petition and shows good cause why the court should not grant the authority. A hearing on the petition will be held in this court as follows: a. Date: JUNE 09 2025 Time: 9:00 A.M. Dept: 30. b. Address of court: 725 COURT STREET, MARTINEZ, CA 94553. If you object to the granting of the petition, you should appear at the hearing and state your objections or file written objections with the court before the hearing. Your appearance may be in person or by your attorney. If you are a creditor or a contingent creditor of the decedent, you must file your claim with the court and mail a copy to the personal representative appointed by the court within the later of either (1) four months from the date of first issuance of letters a general personal representative as defined in section 58(b) of the California Probate Code, or (2)
sees as an entertainment hub. Councilmember Faye Maloney said that if a cap were placed on tattoo parlors in the area, there would likely need to be a similar cap on other businesses, like hair salons, to remain equitable.
The discussion was a continuation of one as part of the Jan. 28 meeting. Councilmember Tony Oerlemans and Vice Mayor Pa’tanisha Pierson had brought the item forward on behalf of Calculated Punkture Studio, a tattoo
Oakley
from page 1
parlor operating on Brentwood Boulevard that has expressed interest in moving into a building on Second Street formerly occupied by The Pink Door. The 1,900-square-foot building is divided into three relatively equal-sized suites, according to the property owner, Tom Gregory.
Pierson, an attorney, said that a precedent has been set by court rulings in other cities — such as the case of Anderson v. City of Hermosa Beach — that restricts a city’s ability to limit where tattoo parlors can operate. City Attorney
ed that the General Fund’s revenues over the fiscal year are projected to be $33.5 million, primarily from interfund charges for services and property taxes, which together make up 71% of the fund’s income.
Expenditures are expected to total $35.9 million, just over half of which is spent on salaries and benefits, with services and supplies making up 30% of the number. The General Fund also has just under $973,000 of surplus money from the previous fiscal year, and is projected to have a total balance this year of $1.5 million. This total will likely decrease over the next 10 fiscal years, according to one of Tejeda’s charts.
Projects
A total of 24 projects will receive new funding in fiscal year 2025/26, Tejeda said, with the most expensive being the the East Cypress Road widening at $26.7 million across all phases, the repair and resurfacing of city streets at $2.6 million, and the construction of Enrico Cinquini Park and remodeling of City Hall, each at $1.5 million.
Police
Also included in the budget presentation was the Oakley Police Department’s personnel status. Tejeda said that they will soon have 40 sworn officers, with one to two long-term injuries, as well as four full-time openings. Two recruits are set to graduate on May 30, and one will attend the academy starting next January. The department is also doing lateral recruitment of alreadytrained law enforcement officers to different divisions.
Housing from page 1
with the intent to adopt, only the intent to consider.”
PlaceWorks was hired by Antioch to perform the economic studies necessary to determine what would go into an inclusionary housing ordinance should one be created.
The study session was part of the city’s public outreach efforts as it considers drafting an inclusionary housing ordinance to increase housing for low and very low-income residents. According to the staff report, outreach began in October with an online survey that received over 50 responses, with most indicating support for the city to adopt
Katherine Wisinski echoed this sentiment, saying that they are granted extensive protections by the First Amendment’s right to free expression, of which tattoos are considered a form.
During public comment, a number of residents vocalized their support for allowing tattoo parlors to operate downtown, saying that it would drive residents and visitors to the surrounding bars and restaurants while creating more diversity in the types of businesses in the area.
“Calculated Punkture in our downtown would bring a benefit to downtown
IT
The fiscal year 2025/26 budget is also the first to include an IT plan, outlining Oakley’s technological investment strategy for the year. According to Tejeda, Oakley remains focused on improving city services through advancing technology.
The presentation ended with a recommendation to adopt the four resolutions approving various elements of the budget, including the statement of financial policies, the recommended capital budget, and the IT plan. The fourth resolution would also authorize two temporary sworn police positions.
During councilmember comments, George Fuller was the only one to raise objections to the budget. He voiced his concern that it gave too much money to the construction of Enrico Cinquini Park (which he also believed was not accessible enough for people with disabilities), while neglecting other parks such as Creekside, and also that there was too little money set aside for ensuring that new projects comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, a total of $50,000 in the budget. He said he was “bothered” by Councilmember Aaron Meadows saying that all city capital improvement projects had more ADA funds built into their budgets, as otherwise, they would not be able to be built legally.
“As a disabled person with a doctorate in disability studies, I am disappointed, and will be voting ‘no’ on those [capital improvement projects],” Fuller said. “My annoyance is that nobody can tell me how much is spent on ADA in any project. We say we do put in
and add to the atmosphere,” Oerlemans agreed.
Following the vote, Interim City Manager Darin Gale explained that the change would not happen “overnight” and that the next step is to bring the topic to the Planning Commission for discussion. After that, it will come back to the council and then the change will take place 30 days after the amendment is passed.
The full meeting can be watched at https://bit ly/3Hgp18r
curb cuts, we’re going to put in ADA, but the situation is [that]…we don’t embrace the concept of ADA. It’s just that, ‘if any money is left over in what we can do, we’ll put something in, and you ought to be happy with that.’ We’re not happy with it, as a disabled person and with others who have disabilities, we want to be on the line, same as anyone else, and don’t want to have to wait for the crumbs to trickle down to us.”
Mayor Shannon Shaw disagreed, saying that she approved of the current ADA compliance measures, as a disabled person herself, and appreciated that the staff not only incorporated that compliance into each project, but also set aside extra funds for it.
After deliberation, three of the four budget resolutions passed unanimously, with the second passing 4-1 with Fuller voting ‘no.’
In other council news:
•Oakley Police Chief Paul Beard reported that his department would swear in their two newest prospective sworn officers, Oakley residents Mark Johnson and Juliana Caligari, in a ceremony on June 2 at 3 p.m., after their May 30 graduation from the academy. He also thanked the City Council for their commitment to supporting the Oakley Police Department and public safety in general.
•The City Council approved a motion to order the levy and collection of annual assessments for the City of Oakley’s Street Lighting and Landscape Assessment District No. 1, which will raise money to support the maintenance of city and neighborhood parks and street lighting.
The study session was part of the city’s public outreach efforts as it considers drafting an inclusionary housing ordinance to increase housing for low and very low-income residents.
such an ordinance. A virtual workshop was also held in February, followed by a study session in April and a presentation to the Planning Commission. The staff report noted outreach results indicate general support for a city-wide inclusionary housing ordinance to be adopted.
In Contra Costa County, a family of four earning less than $125,050 annually would be considered low income, records show. A family of four earning below $79,900 would be considered very low income. These people would benefit from an inclusionary housing ordinance demanding new low-income units from developers, officials have said.
There were three public comments during Tuesday’s study session, all in favor of the city moving toward adopting an inclusionary housing ordinance. Greg Colley of the Multi-Faith Action Coalition urged the council to adopt one.
“We strongly support effective inclusionary housing ordinances,” he said. “They are vital to creating more diverse and flourishing communities. Housing is homes for families, and for us, people come first.”
Melissa Case, a local Realtor, also expressed support for inclusionary housing policies, noting there was a need for “below market homes” in Antioch.
No decision has been made on whether the city will adopt an inclusionary housing ordinance, what percentage of units would be required to be priced for low-income households, or what building density limits would look like. No ordinance has been drafted. The City Council did ask Goodfellow to return to a future meeting with more information.
Goodfellow gave his presentation to the Planning Commission on April 16 with more public comment than time allowed for this week. To view the staff report and meeting, visit https://www. antiochca.gov/government/agendasand-minutes/planning-commission/.
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