Oakley Senior Center holds final Thursday food distribution at Second Street location
By Connor Robles Correspondent
The Oakley Senior Center held its final charity food giveaway at its current location, 215 Second Street, on April 24 from 1-2 p.m. The Center left its old building behind and moved to a new location behind the Oakley Recreation Center at 1250 O’Hara Ave., known as Studio 55, on May 1. Due to a lack of space for pantries and refrigerators to hold the food the Center distributes, St. Anthony’s Catholic Church at 971 O’Hara Ave. took up the
drawn from the Senior Center and from people in the food line, in distributing food to those in need – about 70 families, according to volunteer Mike Perez. She explained that the new distribution site came with different restrictions and rules.
“As far as we know, the church is allowing us to do the distribution on Thursdays, but it will be a bit different. We can’t get into the building, and people can’t start lining up, until 10:30 a.m. due to Mass,” she said. Previously, people were able to line up starting at 5:30 a.m. and service numbers would be passed out at 7:15 a.m.
According to Perez, the food distributed through the program is donated from
food distribution program in their place starting on May 1.
Volunteer team leader Leanne Seamann led 15 “very dedicated” volunteers,
Brentwood switches to new license plate reader program
By Sean Tongson Correspondent
The City of Brentwood has adopted a new license plate reader program aimed at helping law enforcement better solve crimes with ability to capture computerreadable images of license plates. But the new technology also has its critics, who raise personal privacy concerns.
Discovery Bay considers water and wastewater rate hike
By Dawnmarie Fehr Correspondent
Discovery Bay residents may soon face significant increases in their water and wastewater bills.
The Discovery Bay Community Services District (CSD) Board is set to vote on a five-year proposed rate increase at a public hearing scheduled for June 18.
bolster reserves, and fund statemandated initiatives, according to town General Manager Dina Breitstein. A key project the rate hikes will help finance is the replacement of 18 miles of pipeline in northeastern Discovery Bay, which, at an estimated cost of $4 million per mile, should help prevent costly, large-scale breaks that could disrupt water service for days.
Flock is an “all in one” technology solution to help eliminate crime and manufacturer and operator of security hardware and software, particularly automated license plate recognition, video surveillance, and gunfire locater systems, according to their website. Founded in 2017, Flock Safety operates in over 5,000 cities across 42 states.
Brentwood police Lt. Mi-
chael Thompson said the change to Flock was necessitated due to the city’s previous reader system
If approved, water rates will go up 22% for the next fiscal year, then 12% each year after, for four years. Wastewater rates will increase by 6% each year for five years.
The proposed rate increase is meant to support a range of capital improvement projects designed to benefit residents,
CSD President Carolyn Graham said she would vote in favor of the proposed increase.
“Unless something absolutely fabulous happens between now and then, I don’t think we have a choice,” Graham said, ref-
Flock technology to allow them
The Oakley Senior Center has retired their charity food giveaway following their move to Studio 55 at the Oakley Recreation Center. St. Anthony’s Catholic Church will take up the program instead.
Press photo
By Isaac Arriaga Correspondent
Annabelle Logan and Sydney Mauldin, 15-year-old sophomores from Heritage Baptist Academy in Antioch, placed second in Sacred Piano Duet at the American Association of Christian Schools (AACS) National Competition at Bob Jones University in Greenville, South Carolina.
“Backstage we were nervous … we prayed and then felt a lot more at peace with it,” Mauldin said. “And then playing, I think, I felt a lot of peace because I knew we did our best. We had practiced and we did our best. Even if we didn’t win, I was satisfied with how we did.”
The 47th annual AACS National Competition was April 8-10 with 1,779 high school students from Christian schools nationwide competing in 76 categories covering academics, art, the Bible, music, and speech.
Annabelle and Sydney played against 15 other duets in their category.
After winning Sacred Duet at the Golden State Association of Christian Schools California state competition, Annabelle and Sydney were invited to compete at the AACS National Competition.
Although they were also invited last year, they were not able to attend due to time constraints between the state and national competition, but were determined to attend this year.
“We kind of had been planning it, because last year we wanted to go, but it’s only a few weeks from state competition,” said Annabelle of her and Sydney’s anticipation of this year’s national competition. “We just decided we’d be more
prepared for this year to go.”
Annabelle Logan (left) and Sydney Mauldin (right) display their secondplace awards for Sacred Piano Duet.
practice on their own after class a few days of the week. They learn their individual parts of a song and then practice together the closer they get to a performance. The duo have competed at the state level since fourth grade, but had never been to the national competition until this year.
Judges rated performances based on the difficulty of the song, dynamics, phrasing, and accuracy of the notes and tone of the piece, officials said. Winners were announced on the last day of the competition, and much to the surprise of Annabelle and Sydney, they had placed second.
In front of about 15,000 people in the auditorium, Annabelle and Sydney played their piano duet “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing”. After completing their rendition of the song, they returned to their parents and watched the rest of the performances.
Annabelle and Sydney met in kindergarten when they both began taking piano lessons offered by their school. The two
“I was really shocked that we got second,” Sydney laughed, remembering her experience. “I thought we got third at best … and then they called third and I was like ‘Oh. Oh well’. Then they called us and pronounced our names wrong, and I was like ‘Oh, that’s us!’”
Annabelle and Sydney have two more years before graduating high school, making them eligible for the next two upcoming AACS National Competitions. Would they return to compete? Annabelle said, “I don’t know.” Sydney said, “We’’l have to wait and see.”
To view a video, visit www.thepress.net/ multimedia
Photo by Isaac Arriaga
News iN Brief
County seeks applicants for Measure X oversight committee
The county Board of Supervisors is seeking anyone interested in serving on the Measure X community fiscal oversight committee. The committee reviews and confirms Measure X revenues and expenditures, including:
• Overseeing annual financial audits conducted by an external auditor;
• Verifying conformance with the Measure’s language and intent and with the Board’s direction for specific allocations; and
• Producing an associated annual report.
The committee is composed of five seats, one from each district. There are two vacant seats: one in District 3 and one in District 5. Appointments align with the term of office from their appointing district supervisor, according to a press release from Supervisor Diane Burgis’s office.
No appointee may be a current member of the Measure X Community Advisory Board, a County employee, related to or associated with a Measure X grantee, or an elected official
The Committee does not make any funding recommendations, and it meets
two to three times annually.
The ideal candidates will be civicminded, interested in volunteering for public service, and have experience with and knowledge of auditing principles, financial management best practices, financial reporting, and government administration.
The recruitment will be open until all of the seats are filled.
For more information, call Jessica Shepard, Deputy County Administrator, at (925) 655-2049 or Jessica.Shepard@ cao.cccounty.us.
Author of book about psychics to sign new book at Barnes & Noble in Brentwood on May 3
Medium, witch, and author Devin Hunter will be at the Brentwood Barnes and Noble on May 3 from noon- 3 p.m. signing copies of his latest release The Bad Vibes Field Guide: A Definitive Handbook for Psychics and the Afflicted.
This is an accessible guide to fighting off and preventing negative energies. This will be Hunter’s sixth book through Llewellyn Worldwide, according to a press release.
Hunter is the host of the Modern Witch Podcast, going on its seventh season.
Delta Informal Gardeners annual plant sale on May 10
The plant sale will take place in Knightsen at 3900 Sellers Ave. next to the East Contra Costa County Historical Society from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. rain or shine. They will be offering a selection of healthy plants. Only cash or local checks will be accepted. Shoppers are encouraged to bring a cart or wagon to help make plant shopping easier. Guests should leave their dogs at home. For more information, visit www.deltainformalgardeners.org or visit the Delta Informal Gardeners Facebook page @ BrentwoodDIG.
Newsom announces SUN Bucks Program that provides food to kids during summer break
Gov. Newsom has announced that California will soon be releasing electronic benefits transfer (EBT) cards for the SUN Bucks food program this summer.
California was one of the first few states to launch SUN Bucks in the summer of 2024. In its first year, nearly $500 million in food purchases were made and the families and caregivers of more than 4.3 million California children activated their SUN Bucks cards, the governor’s office said in a press release.
Those children will automatically receive SUN Bucks EBT cards that can be used to purchase groceries starting in June, and each eligible child will receive $120.
Most children who qualify for free or reduced-price meals through a school meal application or Universal Benefits Application, or receive CalFresh, CalWORKs, and/or Medi-Cal benefits (certified at or below 185 percent of the federal poverty level), are automatically enrolled. Children in foster care, who are homeless or attending Head Start are also categorically eligible and are auto-
matically enrolled. Based on California Department of Social Services and California Department of Education data, more than 4 million children will be automatically enrolled this year.
Children who are not determined to be automatically eligible may apply by submitting a school meal application or Universal Benefits Application to their school or school administrator’s office by Sept. 1 to receive SUN Bucks benefits for summer 2025.
SUN Bucks cards for summer 2025 are scheduled to arrive in the mail beginning in June and will continue until mailings are complete. SUN Bucks EBT cards will provide $120 per child, which is equivalent to $40 per month for June, July, and August, the three months schools are typically closed.
East County weed reduction deadline for parcel owners is May 12
As vegetation throughout the county starts to lose its moisture, parcels located throughout the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District’s jurisdiction that are not being maintained become more susceptible to exterior fire. These fires are able to grow rapidly in size and intensity when hazardous vegetation and combustible debris are allowed to accumulate, according to a press release from Supervisor Diane Burgis’s office.
The parcel owner is responsible for eliminating exterior fire hazards on their parcel, but that may also endanger their neighbors and the community at large. Every parcel owner, regardless of property type – including residential, commercial, and vacant land — is responsible for managing the hazardous vegetation on their parcel and to ensure the hazardous vegetation meets Contra Costa County Fire Protection District’s minimum weed reduction standards.
The weed reduction deadline is May 12. For details, visit www.cccfpd.org/ weed-abatement/
State water allocation increases as winter rain runoff increases
As snow begins to melt in the mountains and make its way to California reservoirs, the Department of Water Resources has announced an increase to the State Water Project allocation forecast for 2025. The allocation has increased to 50 percent of requested water supplies, up from 40 percent last month.
The State Water Project provides water to 27 million Californians and 750,000 acres of farmland, according to a press release from the state.
California’s snowpack peaked on April 4 at 100 percent for the season. With the weather warming up, that snowpack is now starting to melt and flow into California’s watersheds and further filling up reservoirs.
“Our full reservoirs will allow us to help meet the needs of the State Water Project contractors and their customers this year as well as provide some water supply next year in the event that dry conditions return,” said DWR Director Karla Nemeth in the press release.
Last month, the State Water Project reduced pumping in the Delta to minimum levels to protect endangered fish species. These reductions are required
as part of the operating permit for the State Water Project. Operators will likely maintain that lower rate through the end of May unless San Joaquin or Sacramento River flows increase beyond certain high-flow thresholds.
These constraints reinforce the need for California to invest in additional water supply infrastructure to provide operational flexibility. The proposed Sites Reservoir and Delta Conveyance Project would have been hugely beneficial to water supply had they been in place this season, the press release said. The Delta Conveyance Project, or tunnel project, could have captured more than 867,000 acrefeet of additional water supply this winter, which would have translated to a 20 percent increase in the current water allocation, on top of the increase already announced.
Each year, DWR provides allocation forecasts based on available water storage, projected water supply, and water demands. Learn more about how the State Water Project allocation process works at https://water.ca.gov/News/ Blog/2025/Jan-25/Get-the-Facts-Aboutthe-State-Water-Project-Allocation.
PEST TALK WITH LIBERTY
By Robert Ayres, Owner of Liberty Pest Services
As spring has arrived in East Contra Costa County, so does one of the biggest threats to your home: subterranean termites.
These destructive pests thrive in our region, and swarm season means they are actively searching for new places to invade. If your home is not protected, you could be their next target.
At Liberty Pest Services, we know how quickly a minor termite problem can turn into major structural damage. As a veteran-owned, local company, we take pride in providing honest inspections, effective treatments, and real protection for the families in our community. Why swarming season matters
During this season, winged termites leave their colonies to start new ones. If you are seeing flying insects indoors, around windows, doors, or finding piles of wings, these are early warning signs. Once termites settle in, they can silently eat away at the structure of your home, often going unnoticed for years until costly repairs are needed. What Liberty Pest Services offers
We provide thorough inspections to identify current infestations, moisture
problems, and areas vulnerable to termite activity. Our customized treatment plans are tailored to your home’s specific needs and situation. We also offer full-service termite treatments and ongoing warranty protection plans to keep your home secure year-round and help prevent future infestations. All of our products and techniques are powerful against pests but safe for your family and pets.
At Liberty, we treat your home with the same care and respect we would our own. Our goal is to give you peace of mind and longterm protection from damaging pests. Do not wait until the damage is done. Schedule your termite inspection today and protect your greatest investment before it is too late.
Call 925-628-3030 or visit www.
LibertyPestServices.com Freedom from termites starts with Liberty.
Pest control service for homes & businesses, Real estate inspections and termite treatments, Rodent exclusion and inspections.
Licensed - Insured - Bonded. Opr#14018
Do your part to keep Brentwood clean
Picture this: You are walking around the Streets of Brentwood with your friends. The joy of laughter fills the mall, the rays of sunshine bask on your face, and the commotion in the various restaurants fill your ears.
Sounds picture perfect, right? What if I told you that there is a culprit ruining it all – trash? Everything from paper cups and food wrappers to straws and cigarette butts litter the streets. These are just a few examples of the countless other items that are littering the roads of Brentwood and are making our beautiful city look dirty.
The worst part, it’s our own residents who are doing this. All the littering is making our city look less and less attractive as we continue to litter.
Brentwood residents see garbage pollution throughout the city; trash erodes our nature and clean roads. However, there’s good news: With work, dedication, and dirty hands, all residents and visitors can help keep Brentwood clean -- a trash-less city starts with you.
First, Brentwood residents must put in the effort to pick up garbage when they see it.
Many think that it’s really nasty to touch other people’s trash, but what’s nastier is the amount of trash that accumulates
if residents don’t contribute to keeping our city clean. If picking up other people’s trash seems too nasty to you, think about the positive impact on the city.
Picking up trash you see can help our city look all the more beautiful, and will help Brentwood build a reputation for being such a beautiful city.
There is no excuse for not picking up trash – people can always use gloves or napkins for dirtier litter. After all, picking up trash is a sure way to keep this city we call home clean.
For students, picking up trash is also a great way to get volunteer hours. Especially current high school and middle schoolers, many students need service hours, and these students can cash in their work for those service hours by picking up trash.
Another thing the citizens of Brentwood can do is to stop littering. Don’t get me wrong, littering seems attractive since you see all the other garbage and think that it shouldn’t make much of a difference.
Believe me, it does! Be mindful about your trash; Find trash cans, keep your trash in your hand, or even put it in a disposable bag – trash does not belong on the floor. Not only will this result in less litter, it will help other people’s jobs picking it up easier. Furthermore, according to a study by PubMed, dirtiness is associated with poorer health and unhappiness.
Making sure that you throw away your trash is much better for your own well-being and the environment than littering. By not littering, you can improve your mood and the environment, making Brentwood a cleaner city.
Whether it’s picking up trash you see on the ground or making sure you don’t litter yourself, every small action makes a big difference. Brentwood is a great place to live, and it’s up to us to take care of it. If everyone does their part, we can all enjoy clean streets, parks, and neighborhoods. It doesn’t take much — just a little effort and care. So, next time you see trash, pick it up, and remember to throw your garbage away properly.
Go the extra mile and join a trash clean-up group and encourage your friends to volunteer. With this, we can make Brentwood a cleaner, happier place for everyone.
Nahar Grewal 8th grade, Adams Middle School
Calendar
To have your event appear in the newspaper, email your events to calendar@brentwoodpress.com one week prior to publication. To have your event online, post your event for free on The Press Community Calendar www.thepress.net/calendar.
This Week’s Events
Saturday, May 3
Peddlers in the Park-Sip, shop and show
The free family-friendly event will be from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. at City Park, 790 2nd St. in Brentwood. There will be vendors with a wide variety of products, games for the family, live music, food, and mimosas. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/ChillLifeEvents or contact chillLifeEvents3@gmail.com.
Brentwood Police Department
Bike Rodeo
Bring your bicycles, scooters and helmets from 10 a.m-2 p.m. at the Senior Activities Center, 193 Griffith Lane, for Brentwood Police Department’s Bike Rodeo. This is a free family-friendly event. Officers will lead a variety of educational activities designed to teach kids about bike safety as they provide safety tips and answer questions. Activities include bicycle obstacle courses, bicycle safety check, helmet fitting check, and car seat inspections. Registration is not required, but recommended to assist with planning. To register, visit brentwood.info/bike-rodeo. For more information, call 925-809-7778.
Devin Hunter Book Signing at Barnes & Noble
Devin Hunter signs his witchy gardening guide, Houseplant HortOCCULTure, and his new psychic self-help book, The Bad Vibes Field Guide! Hunter at Barnes & Noble at 2475 Sand Creek Road, Suite 100, from noon-3 p.m. His book is a spiritual, educational how-to book on houseplants, along with his fool- (and spirit) -proof guide to fighting off and preventing negative energies. For more information, visit stores.barnesandnoble.com/ event/9780062185499-0
Kim and Davy’s Benefit for the LMC Foundation
A party with a Kentucky Derby-inspired theme benefits the Los Medanos College (LMC) Foundation will be hosted by LMC Foundation Board member Kim Wentworth and her husband Davy. They celebrate LMC’s 50th anniversary with an array of Southern-style small plates, desserts, and drinks, including wine and local craft beers. During the event at 1221 Hookston Road Concord from 5-8 p.m., an LMC student will discuss how the foundation has helped their life: supporting them to stay in college, transfer to a university, and earn an education — an achievement that imparts a lifetime of benefits. Ticket prices are $75 - $5,000, and all proceeds go directly to the LMC Foundation helping to meet the $15,000 fundraising goal to help students where their needs are greatest and knowing that100% of the ticket price goes to the LMC Foundation. For details, contact Kim, Davy, or Sara Marcellino at kwentworth@ losmedanos.edu, davy.wentworth@gmail.com or smarcellino@4cd.edu or at 510-289-3004.
Strut For A Cause Fashion Show fundraiser
The St. Anne’s chapter of the St. Vincent de Paul Society will be hosting the Strut For A Cause Fashion Show fundraiser for its thrift store and charity programs at St. Anne’s Catholic Church at 2800 Camino Diablo Road in Byron from 1-3 p.m. There will be a 30-minute mixer with light refreshments before the fashion show begins at 1:30. Tickets are $20 for general admission and VIP Runway seating will be $30. All fashion show proceeds will go to St. Anne’s “Helping Our Neighbors in Need” program that assists low-income people who need help paying their utility bills, provides families with groceries from the local food bank, and distributes vouchers to families for clothes from the St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store. Tickets are available at www.eventbrite.com/e/st-vincent-de-paulfashion-show-tickets- or can be purchased at the door on the day of the event.
Tuesday, May 6
Vasco Road Corridor Safety Improvement Study Workshop #1
County Supervisor Diane Burgis and the Public Works Department invites the public to attend the first of three Vasco Road workshops on safety. Community workshop #1 will be held at the Brentwood Senior Activity Center, 193 Griffith Lane in Brentwood. Contra Costa County is conducting the study to spot problem areas and create a list of improvements to identify as projects for future funding and implementation. Attendees will be able to provide their feedback to help make the Vasco Road corridor safer between Marsh Creek Road and the southern Contra Costa County Line with Alameda County. For more information visit ContraCosta.CA.Gov/Vasco-RoadCorridor-Safety-Improvements. For questions, contact Carl Roner at 925-313-2213 or carl. roner@pw.cccounty.us.
Thursday, May 8
Business on the Bay
This free virtual workshop presented by Discovery Bay Chamber of Commerce will take place on Zoom from 3-4 p.m. The webinar will feature Maria Galicia, with LegalShield, and the title of her presentation is “Protect what Matters: The Value of Affordable Legal Coverage with LegalShield.” Register for the event here, https://discoverybaychamber.org/ events/#!event/2025/5/8/business-on-the-bay
For more information call 925-351-4444 or visit www.discoverybaychamber.org
On the Horizon
Saturday, May 10
Team Jeremy Charity 5K Run/Walk in Brentwood
The community is invited to rally around Jeremy Reedy, who was diagnosed with CLM, a rare form of leukemia, at 9 years old. Fleet Feet is helping organize the event at Veterans Park, 3841 Balfour Road in Brentwood. The course will be a scenic and flat throughout Veterans Park and Marsh Creek Trail. Individual registration is $30 for all ages and includes a bib number, timing chip, and a custom BOCO hat. Packet pick-up will be available Friday, May 9 from 1-6 p.m. at Fleet Feet, 6061 Lone Tree Way, Suite H in Brentwood. On race day, check-in is at 7:30 a.m., pre-race warm up at 8:30 a.m. and the race starts at 9 a.m. All of the money raised will be donated to Jeremy’s family to help with medical expenses. To register, visit https://teamjeremys5k.itsyourrace.com/ event.aspx?id=16698
Delta Informal Gardeners Annual Plant Sale
The sale will take place in Knighsen at 3900 Sellers Ave. next to the East Contra Costa County Historical Society from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. rain or shine. They will be offering a selection of healthy plants. Only cash or local checks will be accepted. Shoppers are encouraged to bring a cart or wagon to help make plant shopping easier. Guests should leave their dogs at home. For more information, visit www.deltainformalgardeners.org or visit the Delta Informal Gardeners Facebook page @ BrentwoodDIG.
Spring Boutique in Oakley
This free event, presented by the St. Anthony’s Columbiettes, will take place at St. Anthony’s Church, 971 O’Hara Ave. in Oakley, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. rain or shine. Attendees will be able to shop and support crafters, vendors, small businesses and entrepreneurs. For more information, contact columbiette10414@ gmail.com
Spring Rummage Sale in Brentwood
The sale will be from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Brentwood Veterans Memorial Building, 757 First St. There will be mimosas, vendors, and
crafters. The booth fee is $50. For vendor information or an application, contact brentwoodveteransbuilding@gmail.com.
Old Document Shred-a-Thon
Get rid of old documents at a Shred-a-Thon from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 1360 East Tregallas Road in Antioch. Donations support scholarships and charities coordinated through the church’s endowment. For more information, visit stjohnsantioch.org Rivertown Wine Walk & Artisan Faire
The faire will be from noon-4 p.m. at 314 G St. in downtown Antioch and will feature art, handmade crafts, wine tasting and live music performed by Project 4 the band. This is a free, family-friendly event. Wine tasting is $25 in advance and $30 at the door. Wine tasting participants must be at least 21 years old and provide a photo ID. Tickets are limited to 500 and are available at Willow Park Mercantile, 205 G St. in Antioch, or at Eventbrite,https://www. eventbrite.com/e/rivertown-wine-walk-andartisan-faire-tickets-1281127299239?aff=odd tdtcreator. For more information or for artisan vendor inquiries, visit CelebrateAntioch.org.
Monday, May 19
31st Annual Rotary Club of Brentwood Golf Tournament
The tournament will take place at the Discovery Bay Country Club, 1475 Clubhouse Drive, with registration beginning at 9 a.m. Lunch and dinner will be provided and there will be a variety of tournament games. Each foursome will compete in a scramble format. Golfers will be accepted first come, first serve, as entry forms and payments are received. The entry deadline is May 5, and the registration is $185 for individual golfers. Tournament proceeds benefit the Rotary Club’s projects. For sponsorship information, email rob@ billbrandtford.com. For more information about the event, call 925-642-4925. For raffle donations, contact Julie Deck at 925-368-7722 or jacsdeck@comcast.net
Tuesday, May 20
Red Hawk Casino Bus Trip
The event will provide round-trip motorcoach transportation to Hard Rock Casino. Reservations are $47 per person and includes the bus driver’s tip. Presented by the Oakley Senior Center and Alexander Bus Company, water and snacks will be available on the bus. Participants will receive a bonus of $25 on their player’s card. There will be Bingo en route to the casino, and there will be 50/50 and raffles on the return trip. Casino Bingo players will get a $10 bonus. The bus will leave the Oakley Recreation Center parking lot at 1250 O’Hara Ave. at 8 a.m. Participants will have five hours at the casino to gamble and eat. The bus will arrive home around 5:30 p.m. Reservations must be paid by May 19. To reserve a seat, call 925-626-7223 or Allan at 925-265-3417.
Saturday, May 24
Grill and Gather-A Country Barbecue Fundraiser
The Catholic Daughters of the Americas #2714 are hosting a barbecue Western Theme Party at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church at 500 Fairview Ave. in Brentwood from 6-10 p.m.,. A barbecue feast will be catered by The Holy Smoker including smoked brisket and smoked chicken, paired with macaroni salad, dirty beans with pork belly, and freshly baked rolls and butter. There will be cold beer, wine, line dancing, and tunes from a DJ. There will also be raffle baskets with Western-inspired prizes. All proceeds will go to Catholic Daughters of the Americas Charities, supporting meaningful work in the community. Seats can be reserved at https://forms.gle/BomnpDuh2KhG1dRAA today. Tickets are $45. Checks should be made payable to Catholic Daughters of the Americas. Guests are encouraged to wear cowboy hats and boots. For more information, contact IHMCDA2714@gmailcom.
Ballet Folklorico de Antioch Spring Showcase
Presented by Ballet Folklorico de Antioch
Saturday, May 3 @ 6pm
All Seats $22, Youth (3 and under) Free
The Everly Brothers Experience Featuring Zmed Brothers Presented by El Campanil Theatre Saturday, May 10 @ 7pm
Adults: $32, Seniors: $29, Youth $15
Tutu School Bravo Bash: Twirling Over the Rainbow Presented by Tutu School Saturday, May 17 @ 9:30am, 11am, & 12:30pm
All Seats $15, Youth (12 and under) Free
The Fabulous Yachtsmen
America’s Smoothest Yacht Rock Tribute Presented by El Campanil Theatre Saturday, May 24 @ 7pm
Adults: $32, Seniors: $29, Youth $15
Supremely Motown:
Benefit Gala Concert for El Campanil Theatre
The Songs of Diana Ross & the Motown Era featuring Dee Coco Johnson and the Top Shelf Classic Band Saturday, June 7th @ 7pm Adults: $35, Seniors: $32, Youth $18
PPAA: Magic & Mystery Summer Showcase 2025 Presented by PPAA Saturday, June 28 @ 11am & 2pm Gold Circle $25, Orchestra $23, Loge $21, Opera $17
Jared Freiberg & The Vagabonds The Mess Around Tour Presented by El Campanil Theatre Saturday, July 5 @ 7pm
Adults: $32, Seniors: $29, Youth $15
TICKETS AVAILABLE ONLINE & THROUGH THE BOX OFFICE @ ELCAMPANILTHEATRE.COM BOX OFFICE: (925) 757-9500
RENTAL INFORMATION: OUR VENUE IS A PERFECT PLACE FOR RECITALS, CONCERTS, SEMINARS, WORKSHOPS, POETRY READING, GRADUATIONS, WEDDINGS, PLAYS, MUSICALS AND MANY OTHER EVENTS
Alfred Stanley Fontes, Jr.
March 22, 1944 - March 28, 2025
Alfred (Al) Stanley Fontes, Jr., passed away at the age of 81 on March 28, 2025, surrounded by his family.
Born to Alfred and Minnie Fontes on March 22, 1944, in the town of Makawao on the Island of Maui, Al was one of five siblings. The family moved to Oakland, Calif. in the 1950s where Al graduated from Castlemont High School in 1962.
Al served in the United States Navy from 1962 to 1966 (Petty Officer 3rd Class) onboard aircraft carriers USS Kitty Hawk, USS Midway, and USS Bon Homme Richard. Al married the love of his life, Dona, in October of 1964, honeymooning in Santa Cruz, Calif. In 1965,
they welcomed their son, Al, and completed their family three years later when Aaron was born.
After the Navy, Al joined the Boilermakers Union and worked at Conseco in San Leandro and Lox Equipment in Livermore developing and applying his welding and fabrication skills. In 1986, he went to work at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) as a contract employee for Kirk Myer as a Mechanical Technician. He attended Chabot College to further his skill set and earned a Certificate of Achievement in Vacuum Technology and was hired by LLNL as a full-time employee working in AVLIS as a Machinist. He went on to work in Superblock as a Certified Plutonium Handler before retiring in 2004.
Al was best known for his love of building and restoring hot rods and custom cars with his expertise being respected throughout the hot rod community. Over the years, he not only built
350 mingle at East Bay Business Expo and Job Fair
Brentwood residents looking to familiarize themselves with local businesses, hunt for jobs or just participate in the various raffles and giveaways while mingling in the Brentwood Community Center on April 29 for the sixth annual East Bay Business Expo and Job Fair presented by the Brentwood Chamber of Commerce. About 350 people attened the event, according to organizer Katie Brandt.
Have you or someone you know reached a “milestone”? If so, we’d like to know about it! Email your information to
and restored dozens of cars, but he also built a custom garage at his home in Oakley, Ca. to work on his masterpieces. The last completed car, a 1950 Chevy Deluxe, was beautifully restored together with his son Aaron as Al underwent chemo treatments. This car is a true testament to Al’s toughness and true grit. They continued to work on his last project, a 1950 Chevy Delivery Van, up until weeks before he passed.
He raised his sons to have a strong work ethic, and was an example to not only his sons but also his many friends and coworkers. His boys and grandchildren knew if they needed something fixed, Dad/Papa was their man.
Al was a hard-working provider for his family and a loving and giving Dad and Papa. He and Dona loved Disneyland, and often took the family there as well as going camping, water skiing, to the movies, A’s games, and of course to hot rod shows.
He attended his children’s and grandchildren’s games and events from Little League, soccer, football, and wrestling to gymnastics and dance recitals, as well as many school functions. Christmas was his favorite holiday, and it was evident in how it was celebrated each year with his children and grandchildren getting together to open presents and enjoying the day together.
Al is survived by his wife, Dona, sons Al (Shannon) and Aaron (Tonya), grandchildren Avery, Soren, Mikayla, Frankie (Kayla), Cyndil (Matt), and LC, and great grandchildren Jaxson, Zayn, and Rylee, as well as his sisters Doris and Valerie. He was preceded in death by his parents Alfred and Minnie, his brother Harold, and sister Edna.
Memorial services will be on May 26 at Sacramento Valley National Cemetery in Dixon, Calif. Services will begin at 10 a.m.. A Celebration of Life will be held following the services.
Heritage High School hosts first flag retirement ceremony
Heritage High School’s AFJROTC unit held the school’s first flag retirement ceremony on April 30. Four flags donated by local residents to the unit had their stars and stripes separated, then were burnt to ash in a fire pit. “We have a lot of flags around that we noticed that are kind of faded, or torn, and no one is taking care of them,” said Master Sergeant Rachel Lei, the project manager of the ceremony. “And we don’t have many flag retirement ceremonies in our area, so we decided to just host one and give back to our community.”
Photo by Isaac Arriaga
Photos by Isaac Arriaga
Local snowboarder wins national championship
By Nicole Becchina Staff Writer
Competitive snowboarder Kasix Sherman, 14, of Discovery Bay won first place in the Breaker Boys (ages 13-14) USASA Half Pipe National Championship in Copper Mountain, Colorado on April 1. There were around 60 competitors in his age group for the event.
Kasix discovered snowboarding at a young age and has been hooked ever since.
“When I was about 4 or 5, my parents took me up to the mountain, and I tried it for the first time and I fell in love with it ever since,” Kasix said. “It’s really been my passion.”
Around the age of 7 or 8, Kasix joined a competitive snowboarding team and “that’s where the whole journey of competitions started,” said Kasix’s mother, Natih Sherman. He has been on different teams. He is currently on the Mammoth Elite Half Pipe Team.
The USASA (United States of America
Snowboarder Kasix Sherman (middle) is USASA Half Pipe National Championship in Copper Mountain, Colorado
Photo courtesy of the Sherman family
Snowboard and Freeski Association) Ski and Snowboarding competition takes place at the end of every season. There are regional competitions in various regions across America. According to Kasix, snowboarders get qualified into Nationals through USASA and a selected few go to nationals and compete. Ka-
six has been competing in USASA Nationals since he was 10.
While the snowboarders train as a team, they compete individually at competitions. There are various disciplines and events competitors can compete in. Kasix focuses on the half pipe, which he competes in the most. He said it felt “pretty cool” when he won first place.
“Last year I came off of two runs that I fell on and so I didn’t do good last year. But I came back and landed my run, got in that mental state and it felt amazing,” Kasix said. “I just felt super excited and happy after.”
see Snowboarder page 12A
The company opened 24 years ago in South San Francisco and eventually moved to Brentwood in 2019 to their location now at 9040 Brentwood Blvd. Suite C. Call Certified Accounting Services at 925-392-8047 or email marlen@rosales-cpa.com to schedule an appointment. Rosales will respond to each call or email.
Hometown SportS
Despite schedule changes, Liberty softball focuses on strong finish to regular season
By Jeff Weisinger Staff Writer
Being one of the top softball teams in the Bay Area has its perks. It also can have its pitfalls.
There has been a target on the defending Bay Valley Athletic League champion and North Coast Section semifinalists Lady Lions’ back all season, something that the program has not experienced in a very long time. Liberty is also ranked in the top five teams in the Bay Area, according to 49ers Cal-Hi Sports.
The spotlight on the Lady Lions is brighter than ever.
Where some teams have stepped up to take down Liberty, like Whitney and Casa Grande did in the Livermore Stampede tournament on April 12, handing the Lady Lions back-to-back losses for the only time this season. Other teams just didn’t show up.
Two weeks ago, Antioch forfeited its entire league opening series against the Lions, while last week, Deer Valley forfeited the second of their two-game series against the Lady Lions last Thursday after they lost to Liberty 19-0 in the first game just two days prior. Antioch forfeited due to losing players on its roster at the time and Deer Valley forfeited for reasons not disclosed.
Regardless of who shows up in the opposite dugout, or doesn’t, the Lions remain focused on themselves.
”We talk a lot about just staying as consistent as possible, taking every game as we would, no matter who we’re playing, as long as we control what we can control,” Liberty head softball coach Brandi Macias said after Liberty’s 21-2 win at Pittsburg Tuesday afternoon. “But it’s been difficult. We’re going in wanting to have a consistent approach on Tuesdays and Thursdays (as the league schedule is currently
For players like sophomore lead-off hitter Taylor Jennings, the forfeits seem to motivate her and the team a bit more.
”It fires me up more to come out here and play and do everything,” Jennings said. “I feel like we do our thing most of the time, so we just come out here with energy.”
Regarding consistency, Jennings embodies it. Not only is she on an 11-game hit streak this season, she’s on a 24game hit streak dating to early April 2024 of her freshman season. She added a home run to her stat sheet in Tuesday’s win against the Lady Pirates.
”I just try and go out there and do the same thing over and over again,” she said of staying consistent. “Not overthinking it. That’s a big thing for me, it’s not overthinking, just having the same mindset and just being consistent.”
Liberty’s schedule has seen much change since its original draft earlier in the calendar year. In March, stormy weather postponed their game against Berkeley, which Liberty will make up Saturday morning in Brentwood, their last non-conference game of the season.
set), and then we have some unfortunate things that happen with other teams.”
Macias added that the team has had intrasquad scrimmages amongst one another during the last two weeks to make up for the missing games.
”We turn practice into a competition,” Macias explained. “I think as good as we are right now, we have intersquad scrimmage things on those days that we don’t play. It’s helped us stay consistent.”
With the three league forfeits, Liberty improved to 5-0 in league play this season, despite playing in just two of the games. After finishing their series against Pittsburg at home on Thursday, the real test comes against another undefeated team in the BVAL in the Freedom Falcons next week before the regular-season finale against Heritage.
The Falcons handed Heritage their first league loss of the season on Tuesday, 15-0 in Brentwood.
”We’re definitely looking forward to playing Freedom and Heritage,” Macias said. “I know they’re very competitive, and it’s going to be a very competitive game.”
To view a video and a slideshow, visit www.thepress. net/multimedia
Scholarship shows girls flag football’s growth
Kaleigh Cook of Liberty gets partial assistance
By Jeff Weisinger Staff Writer
Just a few years ago, Liberty senior Kaleigh Cook wasn’t even playing flag football. She was actually a softball player who was getting ready to hang up the cleats.
”I struggled with my confidence a lot,” she explained about her softball travails. “When I started flag my junior year, I was like ‘wow, this is fun. There’s no attachment to like, if I mess up. My mindset with softball was like if I mess up, I’ll get down on myself.’ But for flag, it’s like I’m new to this, so if I mess up, it’s okay.”
Now, just two years after the sport’s high school varsity debut in Brentwood, followed by the rest of East County, Cook is taking her talents to the next level, committing on partial scholarship to Bryant & Stratton College in Wisconsin.
”Since last season, I was thinking
about (playing after high school) and seeing things like colleges offering (scholarships),” she said. “I was like ‘there’s no way.’
“At the start of my recruiting journey, I made like a (highlight) reel with my clips from high school and put myself out there. I made that post and I followed a bunch of schools and they were the ones that followed me back and some that reached out. The coach (at Bryant & Stratton College) reached out to me and we got to talk for a little bit.”
Cook is just one of a few BVAL girls flag football players to get opportunities
Liberty’s Kaleigh Cook looks to catch a deep pass against Deer Valley in the Lions’ flag football game against the Wolverines in Brentwood.
Photo by Jeff Weisinger
to play at the next level. Deer Valley’s Mia Russell and Laila Martinez, both of who were also on the Lady Wolverines debut flag football team in 2023, both earned scholarships to play next year at Sacramento State, according to former Deer Valley head flag football coach Gozie Obunse who coached both of them the last two seasons.
Cook also had offers from Cumberland University in Tennessee, Simpson University in Redding, and Rockford University in Illinois. However, it was BSC’s head coach, Jared Cardarelle, that stuck out the most for Cook.
“The coach and the environment that he provides, and what he’s said, he provides,” Cook explained of her decision to go to Bryant & Stratton College. “I’ve talked to a few other girls on the team and they’re saying exactly what he says about himself, the girls say about him. Everything just sounded amazing and I’m gonna give it a shot.”
The journey of high school flag football going from unknown commodity to legitimate high school varsity sport now with college opportunities comes as the United States prepares to host the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, which will include both men’s and women’s flag football.
Cook added that getting an opportunity to play at the next level in college may open a door to the 2028 Olympic Games.
”Once I committed, I realized ‘I’m playing college (flag football),’” she said. “I didn’t know I was able to do that. I didn’t know that would be a possibility for me. So now, just thinking about going to that next level, there’s a possibility I can just keep going to the next level as long as I train hard and put my all to it, there’s a possibility.”
To view a video, visit www.thepress.net/ multimedia
Liberty’s Taylor Jennings hits a solo home run in the third inning of the Lions’ softball game at Pittsburg High School Tuesday afternoon.
Photo by Jeff Weisinger
Liberty coaching icons enshrined
By Jeff Weisinger Staff Writer
Liberty’s Rich Barrios and Linda Ghilarducci, better known around the Lions community as “Gooch,” are well known throughout Liberty’s campus and community as longtime coaches dating over four decades.
Both have had major success coaching at Liberty and have become staples within the Brentwood community. Both were honored for their work during the Liberty Union High School District’s Athletic Hall of Fame ceremony last Saturday inside the Roy J. Ghiggeri gym at Liberty High School, a familiar scene for both coaches.
“It’s just an honor when I’ve coached as long as I have,” Barrios said. “It’s just been an honor to coach here at Liberty.”
Ghilarducci said: “I graduated from here, so it’s an honor and I’m proud of it. I breathe, bleed cardinal and gold and everyone knows that.”
“…I love this place. I think, in high school, you’ve got to make memories. My high school days were great, being in sports and being in everything. It’s just fun to be part of this.”
Barrios was inducted for his work done over the last 43 years coaching several girls teams at Liberty, most notably basketball and softball. Ghilarducci was inducted in part with the 2005 Liberty girls volleyball team, she was the head coach of the Lady Lions that then became the first, and cur-
rently only, Liberty girls volleyball team to reach the CIF State Finals.
“It’s about time,” Ghilarducci said as her team was inducted into the Hall of Fame exactly 20 years after their storied season. “It’s about time that they got in, but this was a good time 20 years later. We’re here at Liberty, in the gym. You could hear the roaring. I still could hear it.”
Both were part of a Hall of Fame class that included six others — Heritage swimmers Ryan Bersanti and Haley Rose Love, Freedom football players Darrell Daniels
and Roman Runner, Liberty football player Kyle Quinn, and Heritage cross country and track star Jett Charvet.
While Barrios was inducted into this year’s class as an individual, Ghilarducci was inducted as part of a team. Both are already in the LUHSD Athletic Hall of Fame in other aspects. Barrios was inducted as part of other teams in the past, while Ghilarducci was inducted individually in 2013.
“Your belief in my contributions to Lady Lion teams at Liberty is something that I do not take lightly and will never
forget,” Barrios said to open his induction speech. “Thank you for recognizing not only the winning seasons, but most importantly, the heart and effort that was put into the entire journey but the hundreds of incredible players that I’ve had the privilege of coaching over the last 44 years. These young ladies (that Barrios coached) are the reason I fell in love with coaching, watching them grow and pushing them to become the leaders on and off the diamond, in and out of the gym, on and off the turf, and most importantly, in and out of the classroom, has been one of the greatest privileges of my life.”
As honored and emotional of a speech that Barrios delivered, Ghilarducci celebrated not only the achievement of her team being inducted, but to celebrate her team.
“Team, it’s our turn. It’s your turn, 20 years later, look how great we look. We look great,” she said emphatically during her speech. “If you were on the girls volleyball team, you were looked up to, respected; they were leaders, they were followed by people.”
Both continue to coach today. Barrios is an assistant with Liberty’s softball program and the girls’ basketball program, along with recently coaching girls flag football. Ghilarducci is an assistant with the volleyball ball program at Liberty, as she has become a staple on the Lions’ sidelines throughout both the girls and boys volleyball seasons.
To view a video and a slideshow, visit www.thepress.net/multimedia
Liberty volleyball coach Linda Ghilarducci takes a picture with a poster of her 2005 Liberty girls volleyball team at last Saturday’s LUHSD Athletic Hall of Fame ceremony at Liberty High School.
Photo by Jeff Weisinger
A team of six judges assessed the runs based on several criteria: amplitude (the height the rider reaches during the run), difficulty (complexity and technicality of the tricks performed), variety (diversity of tricks), execution (how clean and controlled the rider is throughout the run), and overall impression, according to Natih.
Kasix has won first place in other events before, but said this one meant “way more” to him “because it’s a harder competition.” The competition gets more difficult as participants get to older age groups. This was Kasix’s first time getting first place in the half pipe at nationals.
While competing in the half pipe, competitors also perform various tricks. Kasix
said one of the challenges can be getting in the right mindset.
“I think a lot of people have trouble with the mental game,” Kasix said. “I seem to lock in and my brain kinda shuts off when I drop in. I think the mental part is a big issue for a lot of people, but once you understand it and know your drop in, you’re set, you’re good.”
Natih and Kasix’s father, John, were there to see Kasix win, and she said she was happy and stoked for him.
“I was very emotional,” Natih said. “It’s always a nervewreck watching your son up in the air and you just want him to land his runs. When he did it, I was proud and I just felt like just the heart is full. We’ve been waiting for that moment.”
Natih added that last year Kasix fell
twice and each competitor gets only two runs.
“It was really tough conditions this year,” Natih said. “It was super snowy you could barely see. So I was very proud of him to land both of his runs. He’s super happy about it so that’s the biggest thing too.”
Natih said her and John are “so proud” of Kasix’s progression.
“His progression from even last season to where he is today,” Natih said. “It’s just fun. It’s fun to watch your kid. Getting rewarded at the end, that’s the best part of it.”
Kasix’s favorite part is the feeling he gets after he’s completed a competition.
“I think the thrill at the end of the competition and the emotions at the end is all worth it when you land your run and you’re at the bottom and everyone’s cheering.”
Kasix said he would “totally” like to snowboard professionally one day and sees his future in snowboarding.
After USASA, competitors can move onto more advanced competitions, such as the Futures Tour, the Rev Tour and the X Games.
The offseason consists of lots of training for competition, which takes place in the winter months. He will have spring training soon in Mammoth for three weeks. Kasix was also selected to participate in a Team USA Half Pipe Camp at Mount Hood this summer.
Training for competitions has taken Kasix to places like Switzerland.
“It’s almost like chasing where the snow is,” Natih said.
To view a video, visit www.thepress.net/ multimedia
EDITORIALS, LETTERS & COMMENTARY
O pini O n
Editor’s note: The highlighted letters this week are submissions from students in Liberty High School’s journalism program.
Plastics both good and bad for humanity
California has been an advocate for a clean Earth for many years, and has imposed several laws to prevent single-use plastic from generating more waste in the state. One such law is the Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Responsibility Act in 2022.
Laws like these have shown a great deal of progress in the production of single-use plastic and the decreased use of things like plastic bags and plastic straws.
Some argue that plastic needs to be removed altogether. While this proposed solution would do a great deal for our environment, it doesn’t factor where all the current plastic on the planet would go.
The ocean? Landfills?
What many people fail to consider is the 20 to 500 years that plastic takes to decompose, in turn, breaking down into microplastics that create new problems for the life that they threaten.
Not only does the decomposition of plastic present new problems for the Earth, but plastic has shown numerous times that it is extremely helpful to humanity.
After its invention in the 1930s, plastic has proven to be a valuable part of today’s society. From disposable syringes to oxygen masks, plastic has given safety to many essential works for years.
This is why I propose allowing plastic to decompose into microplastics and damage California’s soil, it should instead be recycled and refurbished into the essential uses of plastic it was made for.
And let’s face it, it’s not like plastic will be going anywhere for a long, long time.
Toby Bartling Brentwood
‘Your vote is the same as your morals’
Due to such a strong difference in politics, whether it comes to the policies of the U.S. President or the ideas he or she has, people have been wondering if a person’s vote says something about your morals.
The political climate today is unlike how it was decades ago. Some citizens are believing that your vote is equivalent to their morals.
For example, if someone had voted for Kamala Harris they would
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Letters to the editor
possibly be seen as “woke” and open to new ideas.
But if someone said they voted for current president Donald Trump, people would see them as conservative and wanting to revert to times when things were “easier to understand”.
Other people may see it as, if you vote for a certain political candidate that doesn’t necessarily mean you support all of their policies and views. For instance, some people who voted for Trump did so only because they supported his economic plans and lowered the cost of everyday materials.
At the same time, obviously whomever you vote for will represent what you believe in. When you vote for someone, you have to be able to accept all of the ideas or views they have. Your vote is the same as your morals because whomever you vote for will help dictate how the citizens of the United States are managed.
The people of the U.S. should be better educated on each political party before being able to vote for our next president.
Hallie Munoz Discovery Bay
Physical media for streaming shows might be better option
As streaming services get more popular (and more expensive), it’s fair to question if their downsides outweigh their benefits.
Whether it’s Netflix or Spotify, it seems everyone these days has at least one streaming service to enjoy their favorite pieces of media. Fewer and fewer people own Blu-Ray discs or CDs each day. However, these pieces of physical media come with upsides that streaming services don’t. Owning a movie on Blu-Ray is very different than watching it on Netflix, as the moment your Netflix subscription ends, you lose access to that movie.
It’s easy to say that streaming is the better option solely due to convenience. You can access thousands of movies or songs instantly, whenever you want. If you want to listen to a song physically, first you’ll need something to play it on, such as a CD player. Then you’ll have to actually go and track down the CD you’re looking for. Clearly not as convenient as pressing ‘play’ on Spotify.
While streaming remains the best option for general audiences, those diehard fans out there will find much enjoyment by investing in physical media.
For one, owning your media physically ensures your ownership of what you pay for. Another reason enthusiasts would enjoy buying physical media is that some things just
can’t seem to be found anywhere on streaming services.
While streaming services have their conveniences, dedicated fans might want to give physical media a try. Severo Reynoso Antioch
Program gives teenage parents opportunities
No one plans to have a baby in high school. But when it happens, society has a choice: support these families or set them up for failure.
Accessible and affordable childcare is a rare luxury for many parents, especially teen parents. This is a necessity for them while trying to balance school and take care of their children.
Teen pregnancy rates in the U.S. are slowly declining, but are still remarkably higher than a large amount of other developed countries.
Teenage pregnancy is most frequent in Mississippi, Arkansas, and Oklahoma, with an average of about 27 births per 1,000 women aged 15-19. Most parents of this age are unable to complete their education or acquire opportunities that can help make them more successful due to lack of childcare or support.
People may argue that teen parents should not feel entitled to outside support because they made a decision and must live with the consequences. While that may be true, the same, however, can be said for generally any parent.
Teen parents do not deserve less support simply because of their age. If anything, they deserve more support and guidance. If parents can apply for programs like WIC, teen parents should be able to apply for free childcare. They need to be able to parent, while also having space to help them grow and finish school.
The HOPE program (Helping Our Teen-Parents Excel) has partnered with at least two California high schools to create a “child-friendly” work room. The room is equipped with toys, diapers, formula, and caregivers in order to give the parent an opportunity to finish school and thrive while providing a space for their child (learn4life.org). This program has helped numerous young parents and could help much more.
Don’t support teenage pregnancy; support the teenage parents. Teen pregnancy will likely never completely diminish, so these parents need continuous support and programs that will provide them with just that.
Jasmine Morales Brentwood
20-foot business signs and the beauty of Brentwood don’t mix
Brentwood is a very special place from a vision point of view. Frankly, it is quite attractive, especially the streetscape, which adds to its overall attractiveness.
The Planning Commission recently approved plans for an enhanced Streets of Brentwood, with more upscale shopping experience potential. That is welcome news.
One part of that plan, however, is to allow the center owners to erect multiple 20-foot signs on Sand Creek Road identifying the businesses there.
Really! Do we think that multiple 20-foot signs will add to the attractiveness of Brentwood?
Gary Reynolds Brentwood
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Publish Dates: April 18, 25, May 2, 9, 2025
ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME PETITIONER OR ATTORNEY: Adriana Bermejo & Jorge Diaz SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF CONTRA COSTA, 725 Court Street Martinez, CA 94553 PETITION OF: Adriana Bermejo & Jorge Diaz CASE NUMBER: N250797 TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS:
1. Petitioner Adriana Bermejo & Jorge Diaz filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: Present Name: a. Citlalli Lizeth Diaz Bermejo to Proposed Name: a. Citlalli Lizeth Diaz
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: 07/18/2025 Time: 9:00 AM Dept.: 30 Room: 201 b. The address of the court is same as noted above. 3. a. A copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation, printed in this county: Brentwood Press
Date: April 18 2025 Judge of the Superior Court Brentwood Press Brentwood Press No. 02-1273
Publish Dates: April 25, May 2, 9, 16, 2025
TION OF: Sarah Joy Lindahl, Sarah Joy Lindahl CASE NUMBER: N25-0843 TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: 1. Petitioner Sarah Joy Lindahl, Sarah Joy Lindahl filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: Present Name: a. Sarah Joy Lindahl b. AKA Sarah Lindahl to Proposed Name: Sarah Joy Lindahl, Sr. 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: 08/01/2025 Time: 9:00am Dept.: 30 Room: 201 b. The address of the court is same as noted above. 3. a. A copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation, printed in this county: Brentwood Press Date: April 24 2025 Judge of the Superior Court Brentwood Press Brentwood Press No. 02-1273
Publish Dates: May 2, 9, 16, 23, 2025
ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME PETITIONER OR ATTORNEY: Jerome Eugene Nunes SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF CONTRA COSTA, 725 Court Street Martinez, CA 94553 PETITION OF: Jerome Eugene Nunes CASE NUMBER: N25-0699 TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS:
1. Petitioner Jerome Eugene Nunes filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: Present Name:
a. Jerome Eugene Nunes to Proposed Name: Jeremy Nunes
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: 7/2/2025 Time: 9:00 a.m. Dept.: 30 b. The address of the court is same as noted above. 3. a. A copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation, printed in this county: Brentwood Press b. Type info here if box is checked or delete this sentence if not. Date: April 8, 2025
Judge of the Superior Court Brentwood Press No. 02-1273 Brentwood Press No. 02-1273 Publish Dates: April 18, 25, May 2, 9,
2025 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME PETITIONER OR ATTORNEY: Renee Kathryn Kern SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF CONTRA COSTA, 725 Court Street Martinez, CA 94553 PETITION OF: Renee Kathryn Kern, Renee Kathryn Kern CASE NUMBER: N250624 TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: 1. Petitioner Renee Kathryn Kern filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: Present Name: a. Renee Kathryn Kern to Proposed Name: a. Renee Kathryn Marrone 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,
as noted above. 3. a. A copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation, printed in this county: Brentwood Press Date: March 27 2025 Judge of the Superior Court Brentwood Press No. 02-1273
Publish Dates: April 11, 18, 25, May 2, 2025 ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME PETITIONER OR ATTORNEY: Aalya Monet Vanzego SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF CONTRA COSTA, 725 Court Street Martinez, CA 94553 PETITION OF: Aalya Monet Vanzego CASE NUMBER: N25-0434 TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: 1. Petitioner Aalya Monet Vanzego, filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: Present Name: a. Aalya Monet Vanzego to Proposed Name: Aalya Monet
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: 05/28/2025
Senior Center from page 1A
a variety of sources, from food recovery nonprofits such as White Pony Express, to charities such as Meals on Wheels and the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano, to stores and restaurants like Safeway and McDonald’s.
The program’s move to St. Anthony’s was the result of efforts by the Senior Center board to find a new location that was close to the site of the old Center, to ensure that people who have relied on the program as a source of food since before
Plate Reader
from page 1A
the coronavirus pandemic would not be left without nourishment, according to Senior Center president Donna Baker.
“Our neighbors are in need as prices of groceries continue to increase. We have gotten to know many of these people, who line up as early as 5 a.m. for food to be distributed at 1 p.m.,” Baker said. “We have a homeless man who walks one and a half miles to fill a backpack with food for himself and others; a woman with cancer who cannot work; and someone else who picks up food for her neighbors. Two
being outdated, while also stressing the need for a “complete overhaul” due to equipment being in need of repair and replacement.
Flock cameras have a wider field of view, requiring fewer cameras and, therefore, is more cost efficient, he said. Flock cameras are solar powered, so they are also more versatile, as these cameras could be placed anywhere without having to worry about electricity.
Thompson also cited the deteriorating customer support with the previous vendor, including being unresponsive to phone call or emails for service needs as yet another reason for making the switch, which went live on Monday April 14.
Thompson says it is “huge” upgrade in terms of helping solve and investigate crimes.
“Most Bay Area agencies were already on the Flock platform or transitioning to it, vetting the reliability of the company and equipment,” Thompson said. “With the previous vendor, we needed a license plate to do a search. With this new system, we don’t need a plate. We just need a vehicle description, and we can narrow it down that way using unique identifiers, like a bumper sticker, roof rack, or a two-door vs. four-door vehicle. Lastly, Flock integrates with Axon, which is our current supplier for our vehicle dash cameras.”
Thompson said that other area cities that use Flock, including Alamo, Clayton, Concord, Danville, Discovery Bay, El Cerrito, Hercules, Kensington, Oakley, Orinda, Pleasant Hill, Richmond, San Ramon, Stockton, Livermore, and Tracy, along with the Contra Costa County Of-
Rate Hike
from page 1A
erencing the town’s futile search thus far for grant monies to cover projects. “Obviously, all our residents getting their water is the highest priority. And although we are not having issues now, the current pipeline is at the end of its life.”
Discovery Bay residents pay a monthly water bill based on their usage; sewer charges appear on their property tax bill each year. According to the town’s rate study, performed by Lechowicz and Tseng Municipal Consultants, Discovery Bay residents pay less for water than surrounding towns. The new rates were proposed by the consulting firm with the town’s capital improvement projects in mind.
“While the water bill is very low, the sewer bill is very high,” Alison Lechowicz, founder and consultant with the firm, told the board during the presentation of the rate study in April. “They kind of balance each other out.”
Lechowicz noted, even with the rate increase, Discovery Bay’s water rates are relatively low when compared to towns in the Central Valley and Bay Area.
Discovery Bay resident Ron Cole moved to Discovery Bay from Concord two years ago. He said the small size of his
weeks ago, we had a family who lost their home in the Southern California fires who came here looking for a new start.”
Senior Center members lamented the end of the program on Second Street, but said that the final distribution there was successful, and expressed hope that it will have a bright future at St. Anthony’s.
“We didn’t know if we were going to be moving someplace else. It was a little sad, since we’ve gotten to know some of the people who utilize the services. …The Senior Center’s been doing it for years,”
With this new system, we don’t need a plate. We just need a vehicle description, and we can narrow it down that way.
”
Brentwood police Lt. Michael Thompson
fice of the Sheriff.
However, the use of Flock has raised privacy intrusion concerns, primarily regarding the potential for misuse of surveillance technology. According to IT Security Website Compass IT Compliance, critics have argued that the constant monitoring of vehicle movements could constitute an invasion of privacy, since these cameras can track individuals’ movements without their consent, potentially logging where individuals visit, work, or live. Additionally, critics have also pointed out data security concerns about how securely the data is stored along with who has access to it, which could potentially expose sensitive personal information to unauthorized parties.
According to their website, Flock devices capture only objective evidence, and does not enable predictive policing, choosing instead to focus on protecting privacy and enabling accountability. Additionally, Flock devices do not connect to databases to identify name, identifiers, addresses, or other information about people, with all images and metadata encrypted in the cloud to ensure maxi-
water bill shocked him, and even with the increases over five years, he’ll still be paying far less than he did in his old home.
“So these rate increases, I do not feel would be excessive — unlike what PG&E has done to all of us,” he said.
Other residents went to social media to express frustration with increased rates. On one Facebook post, Darryl Hall questioned what the rate hikes were for and if they were necessary, while Josh Miles decried the quality of his water. Jett Chaffin said he thought the increases were “horrible.”
The town conducts water rate studies approximately every five years. Breitstein said the studies are done based on planning needs, or the need to fund state mandated projects. The most recent was conducted from 2020 to 2025, and a new proposed rate study is already in the works, set to run from this year through 2030.
“Sadly, the state is constantly handing down unfunded mandates to us, and we are a small town, we don’t have unending money,” Graham said of the state-mandated projects.
One mandated project the town is working on is the cross connection program.
Seamann said.
“It was bittersweet, but we had a good ending to it,” Baker said, echoing Seamann’s sentiment. “We were saying goodbye to people; 100 people came through the line, representing either themselves or sometimes up to seven or eight people that they’re getting food for. Luckily, Father Rafael [Hinojosa] is allowing us to move to his church.”
“My heart is filled with joy for everyone who has worked to continue this program,” Baker said.
mum security compliance.
City Councilmember Jovita Mendoza said city officials have not received any complaints about privacy concerns regarding the cameras, but she knows other area cities have received such complaints.
According to Thompson, money to pay for the cameras will come from the city’s General Fund, with the price being broken down over two years — “$113,000 for Year 1 and $105,000 for Year 2,” Thompson said. “The reason for the two different prices: Year 1 includes implementation and installation.”
In Oakley, Police Chief Paul Beard said the town has been operating Flock cameras since May 2021 with no concerns being reported. Beard added that Flock cameras have directly assisted the police department in apprehensions, ranging from lower-level misdemeanors to felonies.
“Flock cameras have also assisted us in locating missing persons,” Beard said. “The number of cases where Flock has assisted us most likely numbers in the hundreds.”
Thompson meanwhile, has said that the cameras have been in Brentwood since 2016, adding that the cameras take still images, not video, of vehicles passing through the lens and, therefore, cannot follow or track vehicles once they leave the camera’s view, and residents shouldn’t be concerned.
“This is not something new to Brentwood,” Thompson said. “License plate readers have proven been instrumental in solving crimes to include violent felonies against persons, thefts, burglaries, and assisting in locating missing persons who might be at risk.”
For details, visit www.flocksafety.com/.
“For every house on the water, we have to install a backflow device to make sure there is no cross contamination between the water in the river and the water getting into the town’s water supply,” she said. “We are looking at the many steps and putting together a proposed plan and procedures. And that’s what the increase is for, the infrastructure projects, so we can keep water and wastewater available for all the residents of the town.”
Though the town’s board is expected to vote in favor of the increase, residents could prevent it. Should 50%, plus one, of residents formally object to the increase, the board could not approve it. Residents can formally object to the increase by writing in; an in-person statement during the meeting does not count as a formal protest.
Residents can protest in written form. Every written protest must include all of the following to be counted as valid:
1. A statement that it is a protest against the proposed water and/or wastewater rates;
2. Name of the property owner or other customer who is submitting the protest;
3. Identification of the assessor’s parcel
number or street address (service address) of the property for which the protest is made; and
4. An original signature of the record owner or other customer who is submitting the protest.
Written protests may be submitted by:
1. Mail to: Prop. 218 Protest, 1800 Willow Lake Road, Discovery Bay, CA 94505; or
2. In-person delivery to mail box during District business hours at 1800 Willow Lake, Discovery Bay, CA 94505; or
3. At the public hearing, before the end of the public hearing. Regardless of how the written protest is submitted, it must be received by the District before the end of the public hearing on June 18 at 7 p.m. at 1601 Discovery Bay Blvd.
The public hearing and subsequent board vote are to be held during the regular CSD meeting on June 18, at 7 p.m., at the Discovery Bay Community Center, 1601 Discovery Bay Blvd.
For more information on the proposed rate increases and capital improvement projects, visit www.todb.ca.gov/utility-and-infrastructure-projects.
How to get kids to read more this summer
ast County children who want to read more can join the county library system’s summer reading program, ‘Level Up at the Library.’
Beginning June 2, sign up with Beanstack to track your participation. Or print your own reading passport at home or visit your local library – in Brentwood at 104 Oak St. to pick one up. The whole family can have an adventurous summer of reading, activities, and events. Everyone who completes summer reading wins prizes, including a free book and a pin or sticker,, and is entered into a drawing for a chance to win more prizes.
The program lasts through Aug. 2. For details, visit https://ccclib.org/summer/
From improving mental health to fostering stronger memory to teaching a person new things, reading offers many benefits. Reading also can boost creativity and help expand vocabulary. Despite these amazing perks, data indicates reading for fun has become less common among American children.
Parents who want their children to read more can consider these strategies to foster a love of reading in youngsters.
Set limits on using digital devices
Scholastic’s report indicated children’s digital activities have risen since 2018 among all age groups studied. Children are increasingly participating in digital activities that include going online for fun and watching videos or using apps. By setting limits on screen time for children, parents may increase the likelihood of diverting youngsters’ attention to other activities, such as reading.
Become a reading role model
One of the biggest predictors of reading frequency has to do with perceived importance of reading. If children see their parents frequently reading for pleasure and finding it important, and having access to a wide variety of books to read, then they may be encouraged to read for fun as well.
Make reading accessible
Parents can facilitate opportunities for kids to read by getting their children library cards, frequently taking them to bookstores, participating in school-run book fairs, and participating in other activities that prioritize book access, such as sales at the local library.
Reading is beneficial for people of all ages, but modern kids are not reading enough. Adults can explore the various ways to encourage children to read more. The county’s library system, including the Brentwood library at 104 Oak St., is offering a summer program to ‘level up’ kids’ reading.
Furthermore, since children are so in tune with digital devices, offering access to an e-reader or digital reading app on a tablet will enable children to tap into the vast digital library of books.
Don’t stress about the content
Experts note that parents should not stress about what kids are reading. Many times parents worry that their kids aren’t reading the classics or hard-hitting novels. As long as kids are reading age-appropriate material, the genre does not make a world of difference. From comic books to newspapers, kids can read anything so long as it’s appropriate for their age.
–Metro
Sports Zone
of Fun Carnival
& Agriculture Pavilions
Pavilion (Closed Sunday May 18th)
Characters
of the West
Creative
Photo by Adobe Stock
How to stay safe in the water
Fun in the sun often involves playing in the water.
Water-based recreation makes especially warm days more comfortable, but it’s best to be cautious playing in the water.
The National Drowning Prevention Alliance offers the following safety tips to lower the risk of water recreation accidents:
♦ Brush up on your swimming skills
The NDPA reports that learning how to swim can reduce drowning risk by 88 percent. Adults and children alike are urged to go over the basics of swimming before getting in the water to ensure their skills are up to the task. If possible, practice the basics in the shallow end of a pool to reacclimate your body to swimming.
♦ Never swim alone. Swimming with a partner is a fun way to stay safe. The buddy system ensures someone is there to look after swimmers and offer help if a swimmer is struggling. A buddy also can call for help by alerting a lifeguard when swimming in a public place such as a beach, lake or community swimming pool.
♦ Stick to designated swimming areas. The flag system is often employed at parks, beaches and lakes to indicate when and where it’s safe to swim. A red flag typically symbolizes swimming is unsafe, whereas a green flag means conditions are welcoming for swimmers. Stick to areas desig-
nated as safe. The NDPA notes it’s always preferable to swim under the supervision of a lifeguard.
♦ Err on the side of caution. The NDPA notes it’s best to get out when in doubt. If water conditions don’t feel right, get out of the water. Falling rain, rough currents, muscle cramps, and/or physical fatigue can quickly transform a fun swimming session into a dangerous situation. You can always return later if your physical condition and/or the conditions in the water change.
♦ Be an educated swimmer. Savvy swimmers know to check the local forecast, including water conditions, before getting their toes wet. The NDPA notes it’s unsafe to swim in the rain, particularly if there is thunder and lightning. That’s true whether you’re swimming in an ocean, a lake or a backyard pool. A wetsuit can help keep the body warm when water temperatures are low, but the NDPA notes such swimming sessions should be brief. In addition, the NDPA notes that swimming in a wetsuit when water temperatures are between 75 and 80 degrees could lead to heat exhaustion.
♦ Don’t swim after consuming alcohol Swimming and alcohol are a bad mix, as the NDPA notes that alcohol impairs balance and coordination, each of which are vital for swimming. Alcohol also increases the likelihood of risky behavior, which can be hazardous when in the water.
– Metro Creative
How to keep cool during East County’s hot summers
Brentwood offers various water features and resources, such as cooling centers, to combat the heat during the summer.
Dolphin Park, located in Brentwood’s Prewett Ranch housing complex, has been open since 2016 and offers a splash pad for residents. Three other local parks also offer water play features: City Park on Second Street, Blue Goose Park on Adams Lane and
Rainbows End Park on Marina Way.
The Brentwood Police Department
Facebook page lists these rules for Brentwood parks:
♦ Park hours are sunrise to sunset (except by permit or posted otherwise)
♦ Jump houses are prohibited
♦ Properly dispose of all trash
♦ Alcoholic beverages by permit only
♦ Barbecues are allowed only in parks with barbecue pits (you cannot bring your own
♦ No glass containers
Summer Camps
♦ No amplified music
♦ Park legally and courteously
♦ Follow all posted park rules
“In regards to cooling centers, we continuously monitor the forecast and weather conditions and have cooling centers that open in response to excessive heat warnings,” City of Brentwood Recreation Manager, Thien Nguyen, said. “According to the National Weather Service the criteria for excessive heat warning is a heat index of 105° Fahrenheit or greater that will last for two hours or more. Because of this, it depends on the forecast, time of day of excessive heat, and duration all playing a factor in opening a cooling center.”
Rachel Owen, Recreation Coordinator for Aquatics, said they are proud to offer a variety of programs at theBrentwood Family Aquatics Complex at 195 Griffith Lane, that is open weekdays from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. The entry fee is $5 per person, according to the aquatic center’s website at https://bit. ly/42IjzCc. For details, visit the website or call 925-516-5430.
“Our programs are designed to provide a safe, fun and engaging family-friendly ways for our community to cool off during the summer months,” Owen said. “Our most popular offering is recreation swim, which is open to the public and surrounding
‘We also offer a comprehensive swim lesson program for all ages, from infants as young as six months to adults.’
– Rachel Owen, Recreation Coordinator for Aquatics, City of Brentwood
communities. This program runs Monday through Friday, from 2-6 p.m., starting June 9 through July 25 as well as on weekends and holidays from noon-6 p.m., beginning May 17 through Sept. 7.”
Owen added that they are open for recreational swim on Memorial Day, Juneteenth, the Fourth of July and Labor Day.
“During this program, all of our amenities, including our water features, water slides and diving boards are fully available, making it a perfect way for families and friends to enjoy a day of fun and relaxation,” she said. “Another exciting event we host is the Boat Box Derby [on June 28], a free and unique competition open to all. Participants
TAYLOR SHEPHERD
The Brentwood Family Aquatics Complex at 195 Griffith Lane
Beat the heat from page 4B
create boats using only cardboard and duct tape, then race their boats in our pool. Every participant receives a certificate to commemorate their experience.”
Registration is available at https://bit. ly/4m67VKy.
“We also offer a comprehensive swim lesson program for all ages, from infants as young as six months to adults,” Owen said. “These lessons focus on teaching essential swimming skills and promoting water safety across all types of aquatics environments. These are just a few of the programs we are proud to offer our community each summer and we are excited to welcome everyone to the Brentwood Family Aquatics Complex for a safe and enjoyable summer to cool off.”
Oakley
Oakley also has a few water features and resources, as well. “The City of Oakley has two splash pads, one at Creekside Park located at 3900 Creekside Way and one at Nunn-Wilson Family Park, located at 1000 Oxford Drive,” Oakley City Manager Joshua McMurray said.
McMurray said the splash pads will open Memorial Day Weekend.
“For cooling centers, we open it when the temperature exceeds 100 degrees and we have a facility and staff available,” he said. “We have used both the Oakley Recreation Center and the City Hall City Council Chambers in years past as cooling center locations.”
To find out more about the Brentwood
Summer Activities Guide, visit https://bit. ly/4itU2Tk.
For more information, about the Oakley Summer Recreation Guide, visit https://bit. ly/444OECx.
Discovery Bay
Discovery Bay offers a dual-purpose cooling center at their Community Center at 1601 Discovery Bay Blvd. The facility will be open Saturday and Sunday from 7:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m., according to The Town of Discovery Bay website.
The town also offers a splash pad at Ravenswood Park from 11 a.m. - 7 p.m., according to the town’s website. There is also a pool available at the Community Center.
“All users entering the pool area must pay an entrance fee,” according to the website. “Children who are not potty trained must wear a swim diaper.” There is a daily entrance fee of $3. Children age 2 and younger are admitted free, spectators or non-swimmers are $2, and there is a fee of $1.50 for the last 90 minutes of any recreational swim session. Seniors age 62 and older pay a fee of $2.
There is a $20 fee for “10 Punch Pass.”
According to the website, this is a “discounted rate for entries bought in bulk; may use any day the pool is open for recreational swim. Can be used for multiple users, such as a family, one punch per person.”
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CHILDREN DAYCARE
SE HABLA ESPAÑOL
* Ages: 0-12 years
* Monday - Saturday
* 6:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
886 Larkspur Court Brentwood 925-504-8950
www.daisydaycareusa.com
Photo courtesy of City of Brentwood
is just one of the local options residents can take advantage of when trying to beat the heat.
Mussels force park officials to change their watercraft inspection requirements
The East Bay Regional Park District has announced changes to its boat inspection and banding policies effective May 7 in response to increasing concerns about invasive mussel species.
The district has long required watercraft inspections to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species into local lakes and reservoirs, the park district said in a press release. To simplify re-entry for frequent visitors, park staff have used tamper-proof bands placed between the watercraft and trailer when the boat leaves the lake. These bands serve as proof that the vessel hadn’t launched in other waters. Boats returning with an intact band have not required re-inspection when entering any lake in the Park District or the East Bay Municipal Utility District.
What’s new for summer 2025 is that the park district’s banding program is transitioning to color-coded, lake-specific bands and is no longer accepting utility district bands, effective May 7. Watercraft returning to the same lake or reservoir with an intact lake-specific band and a copy of the prior inspection form will receive an abbreviated inspection and will not be subject to another inspection fee.
Entrance and launching fees still apply.
Boats without a band for that specific waterbody will require a full inspection before each launch and pay the inspection fee again. Boaters coming from a different waterbody should plan on additional time needed for re-inspections, the press release said.
The inspection process for car-top watercraft such as kayaks, canoes, and inflatables has not changed. These types of watercraft are inspected each time they enter a lake, but the inspection fee is charged only once every 30 days. The owner must provide a copy of the initial inspection form, with the receipt dated within the previous 30-day period.
The policy change is in response to the detection of the highly invasive golden mussel in the Delta at the Port of Stockton in October 2024. This discovery is the first known occurrence of golden mussels in North America and is believed to have been introduced by a ship traveling from an international port, according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. The species is native to rivers and creeks in coastal Asia and parts of South America. Golden mussels have not been detected in waters managed by the park district.
Inspection fees are $7 for motorized vessels, $4 for car-tops or inflatables. Inspection fees partially offset the cost of the inspection program.
For tips on passing inspections, visit ebparks.org/mussels.
Press graphic
Invasive mussels are prompting changes in boat inspection
Sports are fun, and young athletes may want to keep playing all year long. But parents must take steps to protect young athletes’ bodies and avoid overdoing it with sports throughout the year.
How to avoid overdoing it with youth sports participation
Youth sports are wildly popular. According to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association, about 61 percent of children ages 6-17 participated in a total team sport at least once per week in 2023.
Participation in sports can pay a number of dividends for children. Youngsters who play sports are physically active, which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has noted can lower risk for disease and decrease the likelihood children are overweight or obese. Sports participation also encourages social interaction, which can help children develop their interpersonal skills and provide opportunities to build lifelong friendships.
With so much to gain from participating in sports, it’s no wonder that parents often encourage their children to get involved in local athletic leagues. But it’s important that parents recognize how easy it can be to overdo it when it comes to youth sports. Some youth sports leagues now offer travel teams for children as young as six, and such leagues may require kids and their parents to commit several days per week to practice and games. That might be too much for some young athletes, and the following are some strategies parents can employ to ensure their kids are not overdoing it when it comes to sports participation.
♦ Delay starting children in organized sports. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends waiting until children are fully ready before starting them in organized
sports. That time may be different for all kids, even siblings. But the AAP recommends parents wait to enroll children in organized sports until around age six. Free play, which is not governed by rules the ways organized sports are, can be just as effective as team sports at helping children develop their muscles, bones and balance.
♦ Allow youngsters’ ages to guide training time. The AAP suggests a good rule of thumb is that kids should not train more hours each week than their age. Under that guideline, an eight-year-old should not be spending more than eight hours per week practicing and playing a sport.
♦ Avoid focusing on a single sport. Sports specialization is a term now used to described intensive training or competition in a single organized sport for more than eight months per year by children who are 12 years old and younger. The AAP advises against sports specialization. According to the sports medicine experts at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, children who specialize in playing one sport early on have an increased risk of overuse injuries, which can develop due to intensive training. Such youngsters also are more likely to experience burnout and stress from playing the sport. Mixing up sports throughout the year reduces the risk for burnout and overuse injuries, as children likely won’t grow bored and will be exercising in unique ways for each sport they play.
♦ Take time off. Time off is another way to avoid overdoing it with young athletes. The AAP advises young athletes to take at least two to three months off from organized sports participation each year. Time off can be divided into one-month increments.
– Metro Creative
SEWING
Photo courtesy of Metro Creative
