‘It is not a coincidence, it is a bias’
By Jake Menez Staff Writer
During their Oct. 28 meeting, the Brentwood City Council voted 5-0 to appoint G. Harold Duffey as the new city manager, but not before taking time to condemn the way in which some residents spoke about him in the weeks leading up to the vote.
“I’m really, frankly, disheartened by it,” Meyer said of the response to Duffey’s potential appointment. “By the responses that I’m seeing, by the accusations that I’m seeing and the aggression and the anger. It’s not the city that I love.”
Meyer was not the only member of council to express dissatisfaction with the way in which residents conducted themselves on the matter.
“Since this whole thing went down, I’ve been threatened with recall three times,” Mayor Susannah Meyer said ahead of the vote. “One of them is from a gentleman in Brentwood that has called and left increasingly aggressive and angry messages saying he will do everything in his power to recall me. That’s your right to say that, but I’m not going to call you back. I don’t make enough to sit and listen to being abused like that and harassed like that and yelled at and screamed at because you’re angry and because you have a bias against Oakland.”
County
Social media posts leading up to Duffey’s official appointment were met with
elections chief says there’s no threat of voter
comments from residents who expressed concern that Duffey comes to the role after departing from his job as assistant city administrator in Oakland. Some commenters referred to Oakland as a “failed city” and said they did not want Brentwood to emulate it while also referring to Duffey as a “crook” and a “DEI hire,” among other insults.
fraud
By Jeff Weisinger Staff Writer
For Contra Costa County Clerk-Recorder and Registrar of Voters Kristin Connelly, there’s one truth that remains clear to her:
“There is no massive voter fraud.”
of the people freaking out are not listening to the actual data.”
“No one will ever know how much time was spent in this process,” Vice Mayor Pa’tanisha Pierson said. “No one has ever complained about the process when we’re hiring a city attorney or any other [roles] until now.”
Pierson went on to explain that as a Black woman from Oakland, she knows firsthand what it feels like to be scrutinized “more harshly” than others while also saying she has recognized what she calls a pat-
Where do your transportation sales tax dollars go?
By Sean Tongson Correspondent
Transportation sales tax dollars have funded a number of local projects that have helped shape East County and the surrounding region in the midst of its rapid growth in recent years.
As Connelly’s office prepares for Tuesday’s special election on Proposition 50, followed by next year’s midterm elections, she says her office’s daily practice ensures that every ballot is specific to the voter, every signature hand-checked, every tabulating machine not connected to the internet, and that all equipment is publicly tested, which leaves little room for large-scale manipulation.
“We take it very, very seriously,” she said. “I take this very seriously. It’s not okay to disparage elected officials because we follow the Constitution faithfully and we’re just doing our jobs. … A lot
“You can make yourself crazy by coming up with a fact pattern about various things that can happen. We’re human, and I don’t want to say that mistakes don’t happen. You can look at various sources on looking at the 2020 and 2024 election cycles, and the fact that there was no voter fraud. Those were both the most safe and secure elections in our country’s history, and I hope we stay on that path.”
Public skepticism toward election security is at an all-time high, according to national media reports. Registered voters, let alone people in general, are afraid, if they do not already believe, that
Thanks to local sales tax measures like Measure J, a countywide half-cent sales tax dedicated to transportation through 2034, the Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) has built regional projects that have shortened commutes, widened highways, and enhanced the county with more projects planned for the future.
“Contra Costa families deserve safer streets and faster, more
reliable trips, especially commuters from East County who face some of the longest drives in the Bay Area,” said CCTA Executive Director Tim Haile. “With every local half-cent we invest, we typically leverage three more dollars from the state and federal government.” Haile, CCTA Commissioner and District 4 Supervisor Ken Carlson, and CCTA Commissioner and District 3 Supervisor Diane Burgis hosted a ‘lunch and learn’ webinar on Oct. 16 detailing how local sales tax dollars have been used to create safer streets, improve commutes, and strengthen the economy.
Year-of-expenditure costs
Press photo
El Campanil Theatre seeks more donors
Antioch venue ‘restructuring’ its approach
By Jake Menez Staff Writer
El Campanil Theatre, an Antioch staple since 1928, is looking for help in keeping the arts alive locally. To this end, the theatre’s board of directors is encouraging people to become monthly donors.
“Every dollar helps, but it’s our recurring monthly donors who truly keep the lights shining on our stage,” Joshua Price, executive director of El Campanil Theatre, said in an Oct. 10 press release. “As Bay Area venues continue to learn how to sustain themselves in a post-pandemic arts environment, monthly contributions allow us to plan for tomorrow, invest in our teams and artists, and preserve this beautiful historic theatre for future generations.”
According to El Campanil’s fundraising chairperson, Sharon Sobel Idul, ticket sales only cover a small portion of the theatre’s operational expenses. This is because of the “unique” way in which the theatre operates. According to Idul, a number of the shows at El Campanil are put on by third-party production companies.
“There’s only so much we can get from those shows,” she explained. “We are trying to encourage the community to support us financially as we are restructuring some things and sustaining our theatre’s operations into the near future…so monthly donations, big one-time donations are helpful in continuing our operations and keeping things running smoothly and giving us the best customer experience.”
Monthly donors who pledge $25 or more are entitled to a free ticket each
month, according to board member Ron Yarolimek. These tickets are good for any of the shows produced by El Campanil Theatre.
While monthly donations provide the most sustainable support, one-time gifts are just as impactful, Price said in the Oct. 10 press release. These types of donations also “play a critical role in maintaining this historic theatre, funding new productions, and expanding arts access across East Contra Costa County.”
With the theatre’s 98th birthday on
Nov. 1, Price says forecasting both shortterm and long-term goals is an important part of getting the theatre to its 100th birthday.
“We’ve been looking at what we need to do for the next three months, 12 months, five years, kind of forecasting that out and figuring out how we can keep the arts alive in Antioch,” he said. One of the ways in which the theatre hopes to attract local attention is through their calendar of events to round out 2025. These include a production of The Nutcracker presented by Black Diamond Ballet as well as appearances from a local former American Idol contestant and an actor who played The Phantom in San Francisco productions of The Phantom of the Opera for many years. The full calendar of events can be found at https://bit. ly/4oHCw1g
“I’m an arts person in the community,” Idul added. “We put on the Nutcracker every year at the Campanil actually. So I grew up in Pittsburg, danced in Antioch–definitely a community girl at heart and I just want to see this theater continue for the next generation.”
El Campanil Theatre is at 602 W. Second St. in Antioch. For more information about the theatre, including how to donate or become a sponsor, visit https:// www.elcampaniltheatre.com/
To view a video, visit www.thepress.net/ multimedia
The Friends of the Oakley Library dinner
FUNDRAISING
ALL AGES ARE WELCOME
Join us for our 2nd Annual Fundraiser Dinner for the new Oakley Library & Community Center.
✨ Enjoy a performance by Ballet Folklorico de Antioch
�� Food by New Mecca Café
�� Raffle & Silent Auction
�� Festive colors and attire encouraged!
Featuring: A Warm Welcome from Mayor Shannon Shaw & Library Update by City Manager Joshua McMurray
Tickets:
Adults: $70, Children below 13 years old: $30
SCAN QR CODE TO PURCHASE TICKETS!
El Campanil Theatre in Antioch is seeking one-time and monthly donors to help their ability to continue operating.
Press file photo
Oakley City Council amends city manager’s contract
By Connor Robles Correspondent
The Oakley City Council has changed City Manager Joshua McMurray’s contract again.
In a 4-1 vote at their meeting on Tuesday night, the council adopted a resolution to approve another amendment.
The changes are:
• the contract was made evergreen, and will stand until either the city manager or the council wishes to terminate it rather than needing to be renewed every two years;
• established a protective time period of six months before and after any city election, including recalls, during which the city manager may only be removed with cause (such as conviction for a crime or gross negligence) through a four-fifths vote of the council, and not without cause;
• established that any termination, with or without cause, may only occur through a four-fifths vote of the council;
• it increased the severance pay from nine to 18 months’ salary if the city manager was removed without cause. The contract applies only to McMurray, and not to any future city managers who may come after him or her.
Councilmember George Fuller voiced strong opposition to the amendments, calling their provisions a “dangerous addition to the contract,” specifically the requirement of a four-fifths vote of
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the council to remove the city manager and the one-year protective period centered on elections.
Fuller said that the latter provision was “taking another bite out of democracy,” and postulated a scenario in which three new councilmembers who wanted to remove the city manager could be blocked by an “old guard” of two who did not want to remove them.
He also expressed concern that a “shrewd” city manager could abuse the supermajority requirement by “getting in tight” with two councilmembers thus preventing their own removal, potentially even in the aftermath of being convicted of or pleading guilty to a crime.
Fuller additionally disapproved of the larger severance pay for a city manager terminated without cause, which he calculated to be approximately $600,000.
Councilmember Anissa Williams also expressed a dislike for the supermajority requirement for removal. She said it “handicaps future councils,” but she subsequently voted for the amendment.
“In ordinary circumstances, there’s no way I would vote for this. But in ordinary circumstances, I don’t think this would have even come up,” Williams said. “During other negotiations, these sorts of things haven’t needed to be an issue. But during the course of performing his job, our city manager has been harassed, continuously, which makes the job that he’s doing that much harder. So I don’t know
if everybody understands the intricacies of the municipal world, but we have a very, very good city manager.”
Williams further said that she “could not foresee a situation” in which a future city council would not be able to secure at least a four-fifths vote to remove a criminal city manager, and doubted that McMurray, the person that this specific contract applies to, would commit such offenses in the first place.
Mayor Shannon Shaw responded to the concerns of her fellow councilmembers, explaining that the year-long protective period was put in place to allow future city councilmembers to get to know McMurray and form their own informed opinions about him.
“Say we have an election, and there are new elected officials, and we have a
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hypothetical councilmember that is spewing misinformation,” Shaw said. “This six months is giving that newly elected councilmember an opportunity to get to know our current city manager and what he’s all about, and to learn for himself or herself what that person does for the city. That is why I feel like that six months [on either side of the election] is so important.”
Shaw compared the protective period to her own practice of taking her critics out for coffee during her runs for office, which she said accomplished the same purpose.
Councilmember Aaron Meadows praised McMurray for the stability of his tenure, in contrast to other, unnamed cities’ revolving door of city managers, and the “great” city staff that he had assembled during his time in office.
Vice Mayor Hugh Henderson advocated for the adoption of the contract amendment on the basis of its similarity with other cities’ city manager contracts and the need to “move forward” and “stop some of the silliness we’ve been going through.”
Commenting as a member of the public, Diablo Water District Board President Marilyn Tiernan similarly praised McMurray’s performance and professionalism in the face of harassment, calling him an “invaluable asset” with intimate knowledge of Oakley and its people.
McMurray had no comment about the changes to his contract.
MCMURRAY
Falcon Fuel Cafe: brewing skills and building community at Freedom High
At Freedom High School, the Falcon Fuel Cafe is more than just a coffee shop. Run by the school’s Lifeskills students, the cafe serves as a learning environment that teaches Freedom students with special needs lessons in entrepreneurship, communication, and responsibility.
Open to the public on the first Friday of every month at the school’s staff lounge in the ‘A building’ from 8:45 to 10 a.m., the cafe welcomes staff and residents to enjoy coffee and snacks served by the students at a cost of $2-$5. One Friday morning, my mom and I stopped by and were instantly met with a warm, welcoming atmosphere. We were greeted by friendly faces from every student behind the counter, making it clear that here, coffee comes with a smile as a bonus.
A vision with purpose
Launched in 2023, the Falcon Fuel Cafe was inspired by Principal Steve Amaro’s Ed.D vision to create something that would grow beyond the classroom and engage the wider community.
What began as a student-run coffee stand quickly evolved into a platform for teaching the students real-world job readiness skills like customer service, food safety management, and the fundamentals of working in a business.
“For many of the students, this is their first real job experience, providing them with essential skills they can carry forward into their future careers,” said Ms. Kristin Scott, the Lifeskills teacher leading the program.
The money raised through the cafe
goes directly to supporting the Lifeskills program’s weekly community outings that offer students the chance to apply their learning outside the classroom and gain hands-on experience in different settings. These outings include a variety of activities, such as touring workplaces like the Brentwood Police Department, restaurants, and retail stores, where students learn about different jobs and how businesses operate. The students also enjoy fun social events with classmates, such as bowling, ice skating, and class cooking sessions.
Learning through experience
Students rotate through a variety of roles when working at the cafe, such as taking orders, acting as baristas, preparing food, and delivering orders to classrooms
teachers. These tasks help the students build confidence and learn the importance of teamwork and communication in the workplace. In addition to offering a space for personal growth, the Falcon Fuel Cafe brings the school community closer together.
“I enjoy talking to people the most,” said Lifeskills student Kimberly Pioda. “I’m shy, but talking to people helps
me get out of my comfort zone. I enjoy meeting new people each time.”
For students like Kimberly, the cafe has become a way to connect with people in a new and empowering way. “I love talking to the customers. It helps me feel more confident,” she said.
For many students, the cafe also provides a sense of pride in their work. “My favorite thing to make is hot chocolate,” said Dominic Googe, a Lifeskills student.
Another added, “I love serving the chocolate muffins.” Students have even come up with their own creative twists on the menu. A recent invention is “hot chocolate over ice”, a refreshing spin on the classic drink that’s become the current class favorite.
The impact of the cafe is far-reaching. Students not only acquire practical job skills but also build friendships and develop a greater sense of community. Through their hard work and dedication, they are learning about the world of work, customer service, and what it takes to run a successful business. By providing these valuable experiences, Falcon Fuel Cafe is helping students build a future filled with possibility, one cup at a time.
Vivien Wittstruck Freedom High School, 11th grade
Registration open from 9AM to 1PM
November 1st
Les Schwab Tire Center • 89 Carol Lane
November 8th
Gehringer Elementary School • 100 Simoni Ranch Road
November 15th
Oakley Elementary School • 501 Norcross Lane
Please bring a photo ID and a current utility bill to verify residency in Oakley or Bethel Island.
One meal will be provided per residence. Duplicate or invalid registrations will be voided.
Registration will close at 1PM on November 15th or when we reach our maximum capacity of families.
Christmas baskets will be distributed on Dec. 14th at O’Hara Park Middle School.
for
Perfect Star brings comfort home for veteran through Lennox Feel The Love program
Perfect Star Heating, Cooling & Electrical in Antioch and Concord completed the installation of a new Lennox HVAC system for a Concord veteran and hero — free of charge – on Oct. 8.
The installation was part of the national Feel The Love program, an initiative by the Lennox Foundation and participating dealers to give the gift of comfort to those who dedicate their lives to serving others.
This year’s local recipient, Marco Nunez, is a decorated U.S. Army veteran who completed multiple combat tours before returning home to continue a life of service.
Today, he dedicates his time to helping unhoused residents and seniors and openly shares his journey with PTSD to encourage and inspire others.
Despite his tireless service, Nunez and his family had been living without central heat or air conditioning for more than two decades.
On Oct. 8, that changed.
“It was a truly joyful day for our entire team,” said Chris Donzelli, owner of Perfect Star Heating, Cooling & Electrical. “Marco represents everything that’s best about our community — humility, compassion, and strength. Being able to bring comfort to his home is an honor for all of us at Perfect Star. Comfort isn’t just about heating and cooling — it’s about peace of mind and dignity. We’re so grateful to Lennox and the Feel The Love program for helping make that possible.”
The Perfect Star team, alongside partners from Lennox, spent the day installing the new high-efficiency HVAC system at Nunez’s Concord home. The day included moments of connection and celebration with Marco’s family and friends, who expressed their deep gratitude for the transformation this installation brings.
Lennox Feel The Love, founded in 2009, has donated more than 2,700 HVAC
WE’RE HIRING
FREELANCE SPORTS WRITER
The Brentwood Press, a weekly newspaper and publishing company that covers the far East Bay in the San Francisco Bay Area, is looking for a freelance sports reporter/photographer.
The writer should focus on high school sports features and game coverage within the Brentwood and Oakley areas, primarily Liberty, Heritage, and Freedom High Schools, along with other local sports stories.
Candidates should have previous journalistic experience in sports reporting, knowledge of sports, as well as taking photos and video.
Candidates must also be capable of writing concise, accurate and engaging feature stories and game coverage on deadline, along with being computer literate and able to function in a multimedia, online environment. Candidates based in East County are preferred.
Job types: part-time
Monday to Friday afternoon/evenings with weekend availability
Ability to commute in and around East County
License: Driver’s License
In-person job, not remote
If you are qualified for this position please send your resume, writing and photo samples: editor@brentwoodpress.com
systems nationwide, providing comfort and care to families, veterans, first responders, and heroes. Last year alone, dealer participation in the program increased by nearly 30%, reflecting a growing spirit of giving within the HVAC industry.
Perfect Star proudly participates each year as part of its Perfect Star Gives Back initiative, which supports local families, veterans, and community organizations
throughout the East Bay.
To see photos, video interviews, and highlights from the installation, or to learn more about the Perfect Star Gives Back Program, visit www.perfectstarhvac.com/ perfectstargivesback.
For more information on the Feel The Love Program, visit www.feelthelove.com.
To view a video and a slideshow, visit www. thepress.net/multimedia – Advertorial
Left to right: Tyler Twitchell, Jesus Garcia, Austin Crandall, Jim Barnett, Chris Donzelli, Yvette Nunez, Marco Nunez, Perfect Paul, Hank Romero, David Mendoza, Amy Tilley, Marvic Caceres
Submitted photo
Local Marine Corps League invites public to join in 250th anniversary celebration
Event to be held at Smith’s Landing in Antioch on Nov. 8
The Delta Diablo Detachment 1155, Marine Corps League is inviting the public to join them in celebrating the 250th birthday of the United States Marine Corps.
This evening at Smith’s Landing at 1 Marina Plaza in Antioch starting at 5:30 p.m. will bring together Marines, veterans, families, and supporters for a night of fellowship and tradition. The Marine Corps birthday dinner includes a traditional ceremony, the reading of the Commandant’s message, the cake-cutting honoring our oldest and youngest Marines, and a guest speaker.
“The Marine Corps is very much about tradition and one of the traditions is the Marine Corps birthday,” Commandant Donald Hester explained. “And one interesting thing about that tradition is that the birthday ball is about tradition and passing it on. So as a part of it, there’s a cake-cutting ceremony where the oldest Marine will hand it to the youngest Marine as a symbol of the older Marines passing on their wisdom and what they’ve learned to the younger Marines. And so we still do that today even as veterans.”
Tickets are $90, and the entrée selection is beef, chicken, or salmon.
Guests are encouraged to wear Dress Blues, formal military attire, or “Sunday best” for civilians.
“Each organization within the Marine Corps, no matter where they are deployed around the world, will celebrate the Marine Corps birthday,” Hester said. “And even as
“
There’s a cake-cutting ceremony where the oldest Marine will hand it to the youngest Marine as a symbol of the older Marines passing on their wisdom and what they’ve learned to the younger Marines.
”
veterans, we do that as well. So in the Marine Corps League, we will also do the same type of thing. So you can have a Marine Corps birthday ball when you’re out in the middle of the field. You could be out forward in Fallujah or Iraq or something like that and you’ll still celebrate the Marine Corps birthday. And when we come back as veterans, we also want to continue that tradition.
To view a video, visit www.thepress. net/multimedia
Law Office of Ruth N. Buzzard
COMMANDANT DONALD HESTER
REGIONAL & LOCAL
News iN Brief
White Pony Express and Kaiser Permanente celebrate 32 million pounds of food given away to
the needy
Community partners joined forces in Antioch to deliver fresh groceries, essential goods, and compassion to hundreds of local families in East County.
White Pony Express (WPE) and Kaiser Permanente came together on Oct. 18 at Kaiser’s Antioch Medical Center to celebrate a milestone — the delivery of 32 million pounds of fresh, nutritious food since WPE’s founding in 2013.
The drive-through giveaway welcomed hundreds of local residents who received bags of healthful groceries, hygiene kits, toys, books, and sweet treats.
In total, WPE distributed more than 5,000 pounds of fresh food and 1,000 hygiene kits, along with See’s Candies and other gifts to brighten the day for every family who came through, according to a press release.
The celebration was more than a giveaway — it was a gathering of community spirit and compassion. Volunteers offered smiles and encouragement, and new connections were formed in the heart of Antioch, strengthening bonds across East County.
“At White Pony Express, we believe that when one neighbor is fed, we’re all nourished,” said CEO Eve Birge. “Together with Kaiser Permanente and our community partners, we celebrate this milestone not only in pounds of food shared, but in the love that flows from neighbor to neighbor. This event reminds us that compassion is our greatest resource—and when we share it freely, everyone benefits.”
Added Pam Galley, Senior Vice President and Area Manager for Kaiser Permanente’s Diablo Service Area: “At Kaiser Permanente, we believe that food is medicine, and good nutrition helps prevent and treat chronic disease. Everyone deserves access to healthy food, and through community partnerships like this one with White Pony Express, we are helping to improve the health of the communities we serve.”
Friends of the Antioch Library honored during National Friends of Libraries Week
Libraries across the nation celebrated
National Friends of Libraries Week from Oct. 19–25, recognizing the contributions of volunteer groups that support their local libraries.
In Antioch, the spotlight shined on the Friends of the Antioch Library — a group of volunteers who work yearround to strengthen and enrich the library.
The Friends of the Antioch Library tirelessly fundraise to support essential library needs, programs, and resources. Through their dedication, the Friends help fund furniture, books, materials, adult, teen, and children’s programs, community and school initiatives, and other special needs of the library.
“National Friends of Libraries Week is the perfect opportunity to thank our Friends for their ongoing commitment and generosity,” said long-time supporter Gloria Gámez. “Their hard work directly benefits everyone who visits the library — whether they come to read, learn, connect, or explore.”
The Friends’ continued success depends on community support. Becoming an official member or making a donation helps sustain library programs and services throughout the year. Membership and donation dollars directly fund enhancements that keep the library a cornerstone of education and community engagement.
Paid membership includes special benefits such as:
• Early entry to book sales
• A quarterly newsletter, BookMark
• Voting privileges within the organization
• Free books from the book sale inventory
• Discounted brown book bags during quarterly book sales
Residents can also show their support by shopping at the upcoming Friends of the Antioch Library Book Sale, taking place at the Antioch Library, 501 W. 18th St. on the following dates and times:
• Thursday, Nov. 13 – 10 a.m. to noon (members only)
• Thursday, Nov. 13 – noon to 6 p.m. (open to the public)
• Friday, Nov. 14 – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Saturday, Nov. 15 – 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Special $7 Brown Bag Sale from 2-4 p.m.
Shoppers will find bargains — children’s books starting at just 25 cents and adult books starting at only 50 cents. All proceeds from the sale directly benefit the Antioch Library’s programs, materials,
To submit a news item for this page, send it to editor@brentwoodpress.com
and special projects.
For more information — or to download a membership application — visit https://linktr.ee/FriendsAntiochLibrary ‘Suspicious
circumstance’ leads to three suspects arrested in Brentwood
Brentwood police arrested three suspects on Tuesday, Oct. 21, after gunshots were reported in the 5900 block of Lone Tree Way.
The reporting party said they heard gunshots in a commercial parking lot and associated the sounds with a parked vehicle, police said in a social media post.
Officers detained three suspects near the vehicle in question. During the investigation, officers located a loaded firearm with no serial number and a spent casing near the vehicle.
A large quantity of drugs and paraphernalia commonly associated with narcotics sales were also found.
Veronica Greenhouse, 42, of Antioch was arrested on suspicion of multiple firearm-related offenses, including being a felon in possession of a firearm, as well as possession of narcotics for sale. She was transported to the Martinez Detention Facility.
New metering activation set for Highway 4/Balfour Road interchange on Nov. 4
Drivers entering Highway 4 from Balfour Road in Brentwood will see new metering activation beginning on Nov. 4.
The lights will be active Monday-Fri-
day from 5-10 a.m. westbound, including the diagonal on-ramp, and from 2-8 p.m. eastbound, Caltrans said in a press release.
Caltrans has operated ramp meters along Highway 4 since the mid-2010s, and operations along the corridor continue to expand and improve. As part of these improvements, the Balfour Road intersection in Brentwood was recently upgraded to a freeway interchange, with new ramp meters installed on all on-ramps, the press release stated. Ramp metering improves safety by reducing merging and weaving collisions and enhances corridor efficiency by improving traffic flow and reliability for commuters.
Military service members get free admission to state parks on Veterans Day
California State Parks invites U.S. service members and their families to enjoy free admission to 142 state parks – including Mount Diablo – throughout California on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, in gratitude for their service to the nation.
As the federal government shutdown drags on and reduces access and services at national parks, California’s State Park System – the largest in the nation – continues to operate as usual and is ready to welcome U.S. service members and their families.
A full list of the participating parks can be found at parks.ca.gov/VeteransDay2025. To enter for free, veterans, active duty and reserve military personnel must show a valid military ID or proof of discharge other than dishonorable or bad conduct to receive the free admission.
New temporary traffic pattern in Oakley
A new traffic pattern at the intersection of East Cypress Road and Jersey Island Road in Oakley is in effect until further notice.
A new temporary access to Jersey Island Road is open to traffic as of Wednesday, Oct. 29. The new entrance to Jersey Island Road is located east of the existing intersection, Oakley police said in a social media post.
A portion of the existing Jersey Island Road pavement will be demolished in the upcoming weeks to allow the contractor to begin working on the intersection that will have a traffic signal. Police want drivers to proceed with caution in this area.
Milestones
OBITUARY
Debra R. Janis
Jan. 28, 1960 - Oct. 6, 2025
BIRTHS, ACHIEVEMENTS AND OBITUARIES
It is with deep sorrow that we announce Debra R. Janis (nee Clark) passed away peacefully at home on Oct. 6, 2025. She was born on Jan. 28, 1960, in Martinez, Calif. A longtime East Bay resident, Debra recently moved to Modesto to be closer to her beloved niece Kristi (John) James, where she found joy in family and community.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Darryl Janis, parents Lawrence and Melody Cox, and her siblings Jeanie, Willard, and Louise. Debra is survived by her siblings Melody Crowell and Jerry (Lydia) Pease, and many nieces/nephews, great-nieces/nephews, whom she adored.
A compassionate caregiver, Debra lovingly cared for her parents and husband through their final days. An immensely talented artist, she worked as a graphic artist, illustrator, animator, and production manager with organizations, including the Brentwood Press and Contra Costa newspapers. Her designs appeared in publications including CA State Parks, PC World, and McGraw-Hill.
She shared her love of the outdoors through her art and life. An avid hiker, camper, and traveler, she explored trails in the USA and adventured across Asia and Europe. She made camping and hiking a rite of passage for her nieces and nephews, creating memories that will last generations. She will be missed beyond words.
A Celebration of Life will be at 11 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 16 at the Grand Theatre Center for the Arts, 715 Central Ave., Tracy, Calif.
Milestones Milestones
Send to: The Press, 248 Oak St. Brentwood, CA 94513 or email to: editor@brentwoodpress.com
Art Lynch was born on Oct. 31, 1923 in Peoria, Ill., and he has lived in Antioch for 45 years. He retired from Fiberboard in 1986 after 36 years, and now enjoys golfing, fishing, gardening and painting. He took painting lessons and has painted many beautiful pictures. He has had many gardens over the years. Lynch also served in the Navy in World War II as a Chief Petty Officer, and was on two ships – the Bellewood, an aircraft carrier and the Memphis. Lynch was married to Peggy Lynch for 65 years until she passed away at age 85. Lynch is still sharp as a tack and has a wonderful sense of humor. Happy birthday, and we hope you have many more.
Brentwood honors its veterans
The Brentwood City Council took time during their Oct. 28 meeting to issue a proclamation recognizing local veterans ahead of Veterans Day on Nov. 11.
“Veterans embody the highest ideals of citizenship,” Mayor Susannah Meyer read from the proclamation while surrounded by local veterans. “Veterans from every generation and background have strengthened our democracy, safeguarded our liberties and
contributed to the safety and security of our communities.”
Donald Hester, the commandant for Delta Diablo Detachment 1155, Marine Corps League, spoke following the proclamation. He thanked the public for making veterans’ sacrifices worthwhile by attending the City Council meeting and showing the civic-mindedness and interest in local government that veterans have fought for.
Worship Services
Submitted photo
Submitted photo
Heritage’s Hannigan reflects on building program’s winning culture
Heritage beats Liberty to continue volleyball playoff run
By Jeff Weisinger Staff Writer
Throughout her 20-year coaching career, Heritage head coach Janet Hannigan has just about done and seen it all – building Heritage’s girls volleyball program into a powerhouse in the Bay Valley Athletic League.
Following the second-seeded Patriots’ 3-1 (25-20, 25-18, 22-25, 25-18) win over cross-town rival and No. 15 seed Liberty in the opening round of the North Coast Section Division 3 playoffs, Hannigan celebrated just the team’s first playoff win since defeating Redwood back in 2017. She also took the opportunity to take a step back and see what she and her staff built throughout her two decades at the helm – and celebrated it with cupcakes.
“This was very much a surprise,” Hannigan said of the team surprising her with the cupcakes with a “2” and a “0” candle to commemorate her 20 years of coaching at Heritage. “(It’s also) a blessing that people recognize it. I’m very much appreciative. It’s just nice being recognized.”
Hannigan’s experience coaching showed throughout Heritage’s win against the Lady Lions Tuesday night. The Patriots took charge early, grabbing the first two sets 2520 and 25-18, but showed their bounce-back ability after dropping the third set 25-22.
The Patriots fired back in the fourth set and held off Liberty’s attempt at a late rally, winning 25-18 to advance to Saturday night’s quarterfinals.
“(The win) is truly special.” Heritage senior libero Gigi Ramones said. “We played more together than we usually have. Especially since we’re playing Liberty and it’s NCS, and we had a huge crowd. It just cheers everybody on and it motivates them to play much better.”
Ramones added that in her time with Hannigan, as shown Tuesday night, there was one thing that she learned from her head coach that helped spark the team to
the win.
“Coach, she’s really old school and she pushes us a lot. But she motivates us,” Ramones said. “She motivates us to play so much better. …One thing she taught me is ‘play to win.’ She always taught us to just push to win, push hard, and we tried our best.”
“She’s a rock star back there,” Hannigan said of Ramones. “She plays quietly, does her job, and never gets upset with anybody. She just steps in and just does it. It’s fun to watch her play.”
Beating Liberty has been something Hannigan has done often in her time on the
other side of Brentwood. In her career, her teams are 32-13 in all competitions against the Lady Lions since both teams started playing one another back in 2006, a record that took some time to build. Heritage didn’t get their first win over the Lions until the team’s second full year, defeating them in five sets 3-2 back on Oct. 16, 2007, just one of her favorite memories throughout her career.
“The first time we beat Liberty, the first time we beat Deer Valley, they’ve been such powerhouses,” she said. “The first time we beat Liberty I said, ‘I don’t know if this is happening, but if it is, we’re going to go out.’”
Since then, she’s built Patriots girls volleyball into a 12-time BVAL league champion, and winners of the last six in a row.
As the Patriots continue their post-season in Saturday night’s quarterfinals against seventh-seeded American Canyon, Hannigan added that there’s one thing that’s not only led the team to this point in the playoffs, but that’s also helped build the Patriots’ culture.
“They love the game,” she said. “I feel like if I left the door (to the gym) open and the lights on, they would play 24/7. We love to practice against one another so much that we kind of forget that we’re competing.”
“It’s taken a lot of work (to get the program to this point). There’s so many moving parts and putting in that extra time so that you get kids hooked into the joy of the game. I think that’s really fun.”
To view a slideshow, visit www.thepress.net/ multimedia/slideshows
Liberty football head coach: key to winning final two home games is how well his team executes
By Mason Tovani Correspondent
Liberty football is in a position in the final two games of the regular season that will suit them well ahead of the playoffs. Both will be played at home but head coach Mike Cable is less concerned where and who they play rather how his team executes.
“It’s a short week with one less day to prepare against Antioch (7-1),” Cable said of his 6-2 Lions. “But more importantly what I’ve been telling these guys at this point in the season, it’s not about who we play it’s about how we play. That’s the focus to get this team playoff ready.”
Cable noted that his team has had self-inflicted wounds he wants to see be cleaned up as the season nears its end.
“We get the yellow flag thrown a lot against us,” Cable said of the penalties. “Execution, offensively, especially in the red zone, has been a huge emphasis.”
How they prepare never changes no matter the team.
Senior captain and defensive end Brady Whitaker said he knows the strength of Antioch and what they would present
differently because it’s more than just who we’re playing this week, it’s also about who we’re playing next week.”
“We’re all locked in. We know it’s a huge game but we’re putting in the same amount of work and truly believe we’re going to win.”
Closing out the season at home in front of their fans is a plus for Whitaker, especially knowing that they may start the postseason on the road.
“It’s nice that we got home-field advantage because we probably will be on the road for the playoffs,” Whittaker said. “It feels good to get our last few games in here.”
The Lions have stamped their ticket to the postseason but there are still two games that remain to improve upon what they’ve done all season that’s carried them to their 6-2 record. Cable has emphasized that from Week 1.
on Thursday night, but how they practice leading up to the Panthers doesn’t change.
“We prepare the same, we all put the same amount of film time in,” Whitaker said. “We don’t treat any opponent
“That’s been the message - to finish the season strong and make sure we’re the best team we can be come playoff time,” Cable said. “We know we’re going to be in (the playoffs); it’s just a question of where.”
With Halloween on Friday, the Lions hosted Antioch on Thursday at 7 p.m.
Senior captain Brady Whitaker and sophomore Johnathan Munoz talk in between reps at practice ahead of Antioch matchup on Thursday night.
Photo by Mason Tovani
Heritage’s girls volleyball team celebrates during the Patriots’ North Coast Section playoff game against Liberty Tuesday night in Brentwood.
Photo by Jeff Weisinger
Lions boys water polo aims for third-straight BVAL title
By Sean Tongson Correspondent
Amid a strong start to their 2025 season, the Liberty High School boys water polo team have their eyes set on another Bay Valley Athletic League (BVAL) championship.
After taking second place at the Vintage Tournament, third place at the Sierra Tournament, and another third place at the De Long Tournament, all in the Platinum Division last month, Liberty is now 3-0 in league play, defeating Antioch, Pittsburg and Heritage with a combined score of 64-9.
According to head coach Rosina Ayers, Liberty will be the heavy favorite heading into the BVAL tournament this weekend while hoping to do what no prior Liberty boys team has done -- win three BVAL championships in a row.
“The goal is always to win a BVAL championship, but it’s not going to be given to us,” Ayers said. “Heritage played us close in the first quarter for our regular-season game with them, and I’m sure they will be ready to give us a competitive game. So we are not overlooking anyone for BVALs.”
A total of 57 teams participated in the Sierra Tournament in the Sacramento area on Sept. 5 and 6, as Liberty beat Nevada Union 17-3 and McClatchy 7-5 before losing to College Park 12-8 in a semifinals, and then defeating Terra Linda 15-6 to take third place.
In the Platinum Division Vintage Tour-
nament in the Napa area on Sept. 19-20, Liberty was one of 24 teams participating.
Liberty defeated Berkeley 19-6, San Marin 13-11, and then Piedmont 12-5 in the semifinals. After losing to Las Lomas 11-9 in the championship, they ended up taking second place.
Finally, in the DeLong Tournament in the Modesto area on Oct. 17-18, Liberty was one of 37 teams. Liberty defeated Downey 20-9 and Newberg, Ore. 12-7 before losing to Turlock 13-7 in the semifinals. Liberty then beat Ripon 13-9 to take third overall.
“The boys put in a lot of work in the offseason to prepare; some also lift weights on their own,” Ayers said. “We work very hard with a mix of conditioning and leg work, and they work through the October break vacation. Nutrition is a huge part as the boys have a higher caloric intake so they
Liberty goalie Jack Lorenz saves a shot during a Lions’ boys water polo game.
out of the cage more to help out the defense this year.”
Vasarhely added, “Martin Luther King once said, ‘The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.’ I’m proud to stand with a team that reflects Dr. King’s statement; a team that does not shy away from challenges, but rises to meet them. Let’s continue to build each other up, stay focused, and never forget that adversity doesn’t break strong teams — it reveals them.”
need to eat twice the protein or carbs during water polo season. And staying hydrated is key as well.”
Ayers said team captain Jack Lorenz now holds the regular-season record for most blocks with 227 blocks and counting. Ayers described Lorenz, a goalie, as a “wall”. He also contributed on offense with 34 assists. Seniors Joel Ray, Hunter Vasarhely, Zach Pierce, Hayden Young and Alex Silva also have a combined 242 goals and 147 assists.
“I knew coming into this season, I would need to adjust how I defend the cage because we were a different team than last year,” Lorenz said. “Playing club with some of the guys in the offseason helped me to figure out how we work together and also to improve my own skills. I knew I would need to be a lot more aggressive and come
Ayers expressed hope at being able to earn a top eight seed into the NCS Division 1 tournament and hopefully host another game similar to last year, but that is dependent on the NCS seeding committee. The quarterfinal of the BVAL tournament is Oct. 30, with the semifinal taking place Oct. 31, and the championship round on Saturday, Nov. 1. Liberty would earn a bye with a #1 seed. Going into the tournament, Ayers said that the team’s goal is to overcome slow starts, while relying on the team’s nine seniors for leadership, communication, and solid defense for a stronger start.
“Winning another championship would solidify our NCS seed,” Ayers said. “For the tournaments, the subs are a huge part of the success. They have to stay mentally ready when the team needs them and be able to hold the other team on defense while also scoring. Our team effort is what helps our team be successful at tournaments.”
Photo courtesy Rosina Ayers
EDITORIALS, LETTERS & COMMENTARY
O pini O n
Democrats, GOP duke it out over democracy
Editor:
The 2025 statewide special election is Nov. 4. Don’t delay – vote right away.
Today is No King’s Day. President Trump says he’s no king. Sen. Charles Schumer is marching against Trump. Today, Arnold Schwarzenegger was on TV and he said he was drawing up a plan for democracy.
There have been articles printed in the press that should never have been, but I find your editor to be very fair.
The Democrats will do anything, say anything because they have hated the President for eight years. The Democrats act like a bunch of schoolkids who got their hands smacked.
The TV reporters don’t say how they vote, and some guy, Tom Steyer, has joined the giveaway to the illegals using our taxpayer money, and saying ‘Stick it to Trump.’
And the ads act like Trump hates Californians. What a laughable fool just to get a vote. President Trump is our President. The Democrats need to get over it before they all get ulcers. I voted already, not to their liking.
Barbara
Byer
Byron
Have something to say? Post a comment or submit a letter to the editor at www.thepress.net/site/forms.
Letters to the editor
The downsides of using artificial intelligence
I’m in my 80s, and I’ve lived in East County for over 35 years. Of course, I’ve seen many changes through the years, most of which are good. Today, my pet peeves are cars that run red lights, DMV’s inability to enforce vehicle registration fees and electric vehicles that do not contribute to the maintenance of our state highways.
My newest peeve is that no one seems to look at the downside of artificial intelligence (A.I.) We’re just supposed to accept it as inevitable without much publicity on the downside. The following paragraphs are taken directly from Google’s Gemini A.I. when I asked what the environmental impact would be with A.I. I think it’s worth consideration. I’m sure the response from Google search would be similar.
• Environmental impact of A.I., negative impacts (the footprint)
• High energy consumption: Training and running large A.I. models, especially large language models and generative A.I. require immense computational power housed in data centers. This leads to high electricity consumption often generated by fossil fuels, which increases greenhouse gas emissions
and contributes to climate change.
• Water usage: Data centers require millions of gallons of fresh water annually for cooling to prevent overheating. This strains local water supplies, particularly in areas with water scarcity.
• Carbon and e-waste: The construction of those data centers (using concrete and steel) and the manufacturing of specialized hardware (like GPUs) involve embodied emissions.
• Mining for the rare earth minerals in these components leads to resource depletion and environmental degradation. The eventual disposal of this rapidly advancing hardware also generates e-waste.
• Rebound effect (Jevons Paradox): Increased efficiency from A.I. could, ironically, lead to a net increase in consumption if the cost or effort of using A.I. services drops so much that people use them far more frequently (e.g., highly efficient A.I. searches leading to more total searches).
Ron Yarolimek Antioch
Good
things are happening out there; they’re just ‘quieter’
Editor:
Lately, it feels as if any time I open
my phone, turn on the news, or even scroll through social media there’s another crisis, argument, or reason to feel drained waiting for me. I would assume this is the same case for many others of us just trying to stay informed about the current affairs of the world.
Unfortunately, a lot of what makes that quota is negative. Important no doubt, but draining nonetheless. It can be exhausting to have to hear a constant stream of news that makes it easy to believe everything is falling apart.
But looking away from my screen and around at my community, I see something different that doesn’t tend to make the headlines. I see neighbors helping one another, students volunteering, small businesses giving back, and families spending time together despite everything going on.
All these things matter too; they’re just quieter.
I urge readers to look for the good and share it. Hope isn’t unrealistic, it’s necessary, and can spread just as fast as fear if we let it. If we all took the time to really take in what’s working rather than what’s broken, we might just remember how much power we have to make things better.
Angeeta Manoharan Antioch
LETTERS POLICY
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Calendar
For print, email your events to calendar@brentwoodpress.com one week prior to publication. For online, post your events for free on The Press Community Calendar www.thepress.net/calendar.
This Week’s Events
Friday, October 31
The Bridgerton Murder Mystery Experience
Step into the world of Bridgerton for a night of elegance, mischief and mystery at the Royal Banquet and Event Hall, 509 West 2nd St. in Antioch. From 2-5 p.m. there will be kids crafts, games and trick or treating. Admission for kids is $5; adults are admitted free. From 6-9 p.m. there will be cocktails, photo opportunities and a live Bridgerton murder mystery experience with live actors. Admission is $25 for adults only. Guests should dress with Victorian and tea party style-attire encouraged. For more information call 925-733-2233. Tickets are available on Eventbrite at www eventbrite com/e/thebridgerton-murder-mystery-experience -tickets1435617804499?aff=oddtdtcreator
Saturday, November 1
Discovery Bay Motorcycle Fun Run
The run, presented by the Discovery Bay Community Foundation, will start at Discovery Bay Steakhouse, 2477 Discovery Bay Blvd.
Registration will be from 9-10 a.m., and the event will be from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Participants will start at Discovery Bay with three stops along the way and end at the Byron Roadhouse with a barbecue, poker cards, raffles and more. Entry fee is $45. Proceeds will benefit Shepherd’s Gate Women’s Shelter and Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. Space is limited. For more information and to sign up, visit www dbcf info
Hold Your Horses Boots and Bling, It’s a Cowboy Thing! Fundraiser
The annual “Boots and Bling, It’s a Cowboy Thing!” fundraiser is a night of fun, community and compassion from 5-10 p.m. at Alamillo Ranch, 45 Camino Diablo in Brentwood. Every ticket, donation and sponsorship helps Hold Your Horses Livestock Emergency Evacuation Response Team continue rescuing animals from natural disasters , neglect and abuse. For more information, call 925-518-6526, or visit the Alamillo Ranch Instagram page @ alamillo_family_ranch.
Sunday, November 2
Antioch Kiwanis Restaurant Tour
The tour will be from 1-5 p.m. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased by calling Kay Power at 925-202-3519 or Allison Norris at 925-6425404. All proceeds will benefit local charities. Restaurants may be visited in any order. Hospice Tree of Lights
Presented by Hospice East Bay, the event will begin at 5:30 p.m. at Brentwood City Park at the corner of Oak and Second streets. Honor the life of someone you love this holiday season. For more information, visit www HospiceEastBay org/TOL
On the Horizon
Friday, November 7
Harvest Time No Limit Texas Hold ‘Em
Harvest Time in Brentwood presents its 50th anniversary poker tournament No Limit Texas Hold ‘Em at McCauley Estate Vineyards, 22525 Sunset Road in Brentwood. Doors open at 6 p.m. for dinner, and the tournament starts at 7. Tickets are $75 per player, which includes a buffet dinner from Brentwood Fine Meats, drink ticket and tournament play. There are unlimited $20 re-buys. Tournament limited to those 21 and older. For details and to buy tickets, contact Steve Gursky at sgursky@sbcglobal.net or 925-584-8708.
Saturday, November 8
Veterans Day Second Annual Parade in Brentwood
The second annual Veterans Day parade is in downtown Brentwood, followed by the first VETJAM, which will start at the conclusion of the parade. The parade will start at 9:30 a.m. at First and Birch streets and end at Maple Street. The VETJAM will be at the Brentwood Veterans Memorial Building, 757 First St. and feature ‘80s and ‘90s classic rock band featuring the music of Austin Ma, and admission is free. Hot dogs and a bar will be available. For more information, call 925-354-2868.
Holiday Book Sale
Start your holiday book shopping at the Friends of the Brentwood Library book sale from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. on the second floor of the library, 104 Oak St. The sale will have a selection of holiday books for adults and children; educational materials and a selection of both adult books, and children’s books.
U.S. Marine Corps’ 250th birthday dinner
The Delta Diablo Detachment 1155 hosts a dinner to celebrate the U.S. Marine Corps’ 250th birthday. The celebration will be at Smith’s Landing at 1 Marina Plaza in Antioch at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $90, which includes appetizers, dinner, non-alcoholic beverages and dessert. They can be purchased at www zeffy colm/ enus/ticketing/united-states-marine -corps250th-birthday-dinner
Holiday Boutique at Discovery Bay Yacht Club
The holiday boutique will be from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Discovery Bay Yacht Club, 5871 Marina Blvd. Admission is free. There will be vendors, cocktails and lunch available.
Discover Your Roots
Come discover your ancestors at this free event at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2350 Jeffery Way in Brentwood, from 9 a.m.-noon. Whether you are just beginning or are a seasoned family history researcher, there will be displays, and family history activities for all ages, in-person help, and a chance to win a DNA kit. Learn how to leverage free research tools and methods on FamilySearch.org and affiliated websites to grow your family tree. For more information, call 925-331-0581.
Sunday, November 9
The Final Bab-A Veterans Charity Fundraiser
Hosted by the Creekside Disc Golf Club, this event will be a singles tournament at Creekside Park, 1010 Claremont Drive in Brentwood. Proceeds will benefit the Brentwood Veterans Memorial Building. For more information and to register, visit dgscene com/thefinalbab
Monday, November 10
Veterans Breakfast in Brentwood
The Veterans Breakfast is free for all veterans. It will be from 7:30-10 a.m. at the Brentwood Veterans Memorial Building, 757 First St. Pancakes, eggs, bacon and fruit will be served. For questions, call Dolores at 925-584-6712.
Tuesday, November 11
Oakley Veterans Day Ceremony
Join the City of Oakley in honoring veterans at the annual Veterans Day Ceremony from 11 a.m.-noon in Civic Center Plaza, 3231 Main St. Those interested in participating should contact the Oakley Recreation Division at 925-625-7041. For more information, visit oakleyca gov
Brentwood Veterans Day Ceremony
The Brentwood Veterans Service Organization along with the city of Brentwood, will be host to this year’s Veterans Day ceremony at
Looking for something to do?
Look at the many local events on
Veterans Park, 3841 Balfour Road, at 10:30 a.m.
The public is encouraged to attend. During the ceremony, there will be guest speakers, music, a Rifle Salute, a tribute to veterans, and the playing of TAPS. For more information, visit www facebook com/groups/1504007233250596
Friday, November 14
Veterans Day Game Night
The event will take place at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church Hall, 500 Fairview Ave. in Brentwood. Check-in will be at 5 p.m., dinner will be at 5:30 p.m., and Texas Hold ‘Em game play will be from 7-10 p.m. There will be raffle prizes and a silent auction. Dinner and game buy-in is $70, dinner only is $25, re-buys are $25, add-ons are $50. For tickets and information, contact Richard Alward at 925-286-3291 or knights7467@gmail.com.
Saturday, November 15
Clothing and Food Drive
‘Thank you’ Barbecue
The Food Bank of Contra Costa County and Myriad Outreach Project are hosting a food and clothing drive from 3-5 p.m. at Veterans Park in Brentwood, 3841 Balfour Road. Non-perishable food (no glass jars) and clothing (new, lightly used, clean) donations will be accepted. Clothing includes coats, jackets, hoodies, gloves, socks and blankets. Food items include canned proteins, vegetables, fruit, rice, pasta, beans and peanut butter.
Free Dementia Care Training for Families
Caring for a loved one living with dementia can be rewarding, but it also brings daily challenges. This free training helps family members build confidence, reduce stress, and create meaningful moments of connection. The training will be at the Bedford Center, 1811 C St., in Antioch, from 9 a.m.-noon. Participants will learn:
• How dementia affects memory, communication, and behavior
• Practical ways to handle common care challenges
• Tips for safety, daily routines, and engagement activities
• How to care for yourself while caring for someone else
• Local and national resources for ongoing support
Led by dementia care professionals and certified trainers, this session blends real-life examples with easy-to-use tools that families can apply right away. Lunch will be provided. Space is limited. To reserve a spot, complete this form: https://forms gle/uzuMHUoS4zb9Wo417 Friends of Oakley Library
Fall Fiesta
The second annual fundraising dinner will take place from 6-10 p.m. at the Oakley Recreation Center, 1250 O’Hara Ave. All ages are welcome. There will be food from New Mecca Cafe, entertainment by Ballet de Folklorico de Antioch, a raffle and silent auction, and updates about the new Oakley Library and Community Center by Mayor Shannon Shaw and City Manager Joshua McMurray. All proceeds go towards the new Oakley Library and Community Center. Festive colors and attire are encouraged. Ticket prices are $70 for adults and $30 for children under 13. For more information and tickets, visit www oakleylibrary org brentwoodchamber com/ events/details/hawaiian-bingo-night-4106 Harvest Fundraiser Dinner
A harvest feast will be at the Brentwood Veterans Memorial Building, 757 First St., at 5 p.m. There will be dinner prepared and cooked by Chef Tom Hartrick, as well as music and raffle prizes. Receive a raffle ticket for every toy you bring for the toy drive. Toys must be new. Proceeds of the evening will go to local families
with children battling cancer. Adult tickets are $30 and children ages 12 years and under are $15. Doors will open at 5 p.m. and dinner will be served at 6 p.m. For more information, visit dillonsdreams org. For questions, contact Denise Rundall at dillonsdreams@gmail.com or 925-305-9993.
Tuesday, November 18
RedHawk Casino Bus Trip
Presented by Oakley Senior Citizens and EC Tours, the bus will leave from the Oakley Recreation Center, 1250 O’Hara Ave., at 8 a.m.. Tickets are $47 per person and include driver’s tip. The trip will include round-trip motorcoach transportation, water and snacks. Tickets must be purchased by Friday, Nov. 14. Seats are nonrefundable after Nov. 14. For more information and to purchase tickets call Studio 55 at 925626-7223 or Allan at 925-489-9785.
Saturday, November 22
Before the Bird Downtown Brentwood Early Morning Shopping Extravaganza
Enjoy a morning (7-10 a.m.) of shopping in your pajamas, with stores opening early at an event presented by the Downtown Brentwood Coalition. For more information, visit downtownbrentwood com/event/ before -the -bird-2025/
Saturday, November 29
43rd Annual Holiday Parade in Brentwood
Celebrate the annual parade downtown from 5-7 p.m. presented by the Brentwood Chamber of Commerce. The theme is Holiday Toyland. The parade begins at 5 at First Street in front of the Emporium after check-in at Garin Elementary School at 250 First St. The parade then goes down First Street and turns right onto Second Street, then ends at the end of the block. The parade will be followed by the tree lighting ceremony at 7 at Brentwood City Park. Parade entry fees are $75 chamber member and non-profits, $125 non members. Equestrian entry fees: $60 for a single rider, $135 for a group (2-6), $185 for a group (7 or more). For details, visit https:// business.brentwoodchamber.com/events/ details/43rd-annual-holiday-parade
Winter Wine Walk and Holiday Shop
Sip, shop, and kick off the holiday season in downtown Brentwood from 1-4 p.m. Join the Downtown Brentwood Coalition along with downtown businesses as they partner with the Contra Costa Winegrowers Association to bring participants an afternoon of local wine tastings, holiday cheer, and ‘Shop Small Saturday’. Attendees can expect tastings from local wineries, holiday shopping with special deals, and enjoy the perfect way to support small businesses and find unique gifts. Tickets will be available soon on Eventbrite. For more information, visit downtownbrentwood.com/event/ winter-wine-walk-holiday-shop-2025/
Attention commercial venues! The Press is excited to announce we are now allowing commercial venues, bars and for-profit events to list your events in The Press’s weekly printed community calendar. For only $25 per week, it will include 55-60 words or a 380-390 character count with bigger font and will be hotlinked to your website on the e-Press. To place your event, let us know by Friday at noon for the following Fridays publication at ads@brentwoodpress.com or call 925-634-1441.
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In A Silent Way to Bitches Brew
Welcome back. For decades prior to 1969, only one jazz musician had been making major changes to the sound of jazz, and that individual was Miles Davis. You cannot discuss jazz without talking about what Miles had accomplished from his days in the bebop era when he played with Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie, until he started collaborating with the great composer/arranger Gil Evans on the groundbreaking album Sketches Of Spain in 1959, which led to a slew of albums that they made that because of the intricate arrangements, and the pure orchestration sound, and complexity it changed the way large group jazz recording was done.
But in 1960, Miles assembled what was said to be his second great quartet, which was composed of Ron Carter, Wayne Shorter, Tony Williams, and Herbie Hancock.
When Miles put together this group at Columbia Records (Miles was approaching an almost 30-year relationship with Columbia, the longest of any musician in the industry) you started to hear a sound that included an introduction of modular spacing between notes, and Hancock adding more of an electric sound due to his knowledge of the use of the newly introduced electric piano, and the tonal editing of Wayne Shorter on soprano sax.
During these years, there started to appear a new subtag on Miles’s music. It simply said “New Directions In Music.” In 1969, Miles and company walked into the CBS Studios on 30th Street in New York City and jazz music would never be the same. This album would officially usher in the age of electric jazz, or what some would call jazz fusion.
In A Silent Way introduced not only a new style of jazz, but also introduced some new musicians who would drive this form of music to new heights. Aside from the original players from the In A Silent Way album, Miles added two new electric piano players to play with Hancock. They would include Joe Zawinul on electric piano and organ, who along with Shorter would form the ground-breaking jazz fusion group Weather Report and Chick Corea electric piano, Dave Holland on bass – he replaced Carter because he refused to play electric bass – and John McLaughlin on electric guitar, with Tony Williams still holding down the drum chair.
The music recorded on this album was remarkable. This album was recorded almost in the same format that was used when Miles recorded what is considered the greatest jazz album of all – Kind Of Blue –in which there were just sketches of what should be played, and musicians filled in
the spaces according to how they felt.
This album was 38:08 minutes long, and consisted of only two tracks per side. But I kid you not. Because of how this music is presented, you would hard pressed to believe that is was not longer than 60 minutes.
From the opening track of “Shhh”/”Peaceful” on Side 1 of this album to “ In A Silent Way”/”It’s About That Time on Side 2 of this album, you are totally lost in an electronic jazz fusion wonderland.
This album was the forerunner of what was to come from this genre of music, which eventually led to the use of echoplex being used in studio recordings, more indepth use of echo chambers, and the programming of music to be used on tracks, but more noticeable the use of the synthesizer (of which Zawinul was a master).
Yes, this album brought about a new era and musical tone to jazz. Miles, ever the prophet of music to come, had done it again, introducing us to musicians that in years to come would also cause a change in not only jazz again, but also in how other genres are affected.
Awww, some of you are looking at the title of this article, and are saying what does “Bitches Brew“ have to do with this? Well, later on in 1969, based on what Miles had done with In A Silent Way, Miles took a group in the new CBS studio on 134th Street in which a studio was built to have Miles record the album “ Bitches Brew”.
The group that Miles brought was twice as big as the group on In A Silent Way, and had more percussion and electronic instrumentation. The album cover alone would make you want to buy this album even if you didn’t know who Miles was. Also the title caused quite a ruckus in the industry.
This is an album that I’m not going to go into. This is a teaser for you to seek out this album and listen to it. But I will tell you this. When this album was released, all hell broke loose. Also, this was a double album, which had people puzzled about the picture of Miles on the inside (see if you can figure out why).
So in closing, remember: “There it is” – Stanley Crouch, jazz
tern in Brentwood when it comes to the way residents have spoken about “highly-qualified Black professionals in leadership.” She pointed out similar rhetoric from earlier this year when the city’s new Parks and Recreation director, E. Harith Aleem, Jr., was appointed as well as when Human Resources Director Sukari Beshears was shifted into the role of Interim Assistant City Manager in the wake of previous city manager Tim Ogden’s departure.
“When excellence continues to be met with skepticism only when it comes in Black skin, it is not a coincidence, it is a bias,” Pierson continued. “So when I hear coded language that amounts to ‘I don’t want him because he’s Black,’ I feel responsible to call that mess out…This kind of thinking does not serve our community. It doesn’t serve us in Brentwood—it actually divides us. And if we’re going to act like this, we shouldn’t say we’re ‘better in Brentwood.’”
Voter Fraud from page 1
Residents who expressed concern over Duffey’s hiring pointed to his record as a city manager in Compton and Grand Terrace before taking a role in Oakland. Duffey was let go from his role in Compton in 2014 according to the Civic Business Journal and resigned from his post in Grand Terrace after six years to accept the Oakland job, according to the San Bernardino County Sentinel. While Duffey’s time in Oakland coincided with a 2024 raid by the FBI on the home of Mayor Sheng Thao, federal prosecutors did not accuse Duffey of any wrongdoing, according to Oakland-based publication The Oaklandside.
In an attempt to quell some public concerns ahead of the Oct. 28 vote, the city of Brentwood held a meet-and-greet with Duffey on Oct. 20. According to Meyer, more than 50 residents attended the event and were respectful, in contrast to the way others had spoken on social media.
“Everyone has a right to speak,” Meyer said. “The reason we did that meet and greet
the elections are rigged due to stories in the media about ballot-box stuffing, non-citizen’s who vote, and machine tampering as reported by various news agencies nationally.
“It would be helpful if they didn’t say that on the news every night,” she said. “Elections are working, but change is hard for people. Although the presidential outcome was different in 2020 and 2024, they were both safe and secure elections. And so I want people to take a breath and remember that their election officials are doing extraordinary things with not a lot of resources.”
Connelly’s team, which manages about 728,000 registered voters in the county, said that in the last election cycle (2024) her office handled one double-registration case and referred it the District Attorney’s Office.
“I had one example of one person registering twice in 2024, once with a Social Security Number and once with a
(dollars adjusted for inflation from the present time to the expected year of construction) for some of these projects include:
• $417 million total for the Caldecott Tunnel fourth bore,
• $513 million for the eBART extension to Antioch
• $375 million for the widening of Highway 4 from Somersville Road to Highway 160.
“Because the dollars are local, reliable, and flexible, we can use them to match outside grants,” said CCTA spokesperson Michael Blasky. “On average, every $1 of local Measure J funds helps us leverage about $3 more in state and federal dollars. That multiplier, combined with long-range planning, competitive grant applications, and strong project delivery, turns a small contribution into big improvements countywide.”
According to the CCTA, examples of some of the major projects sales tax dollars helped pay for include the Caldecott Tunnel fourth bore, which helped to eliminate or reduce daily back-ups between Contra Costa County and Oakland while cutting peak commutes by as much as 30 minutes, improving safety and reliability through the East Bay hills.
“Our work in East County has focused on the Highway 4 corridor and improving East County travel delivering major high-
last week was because we were trying to get a handle on some of the negativity that was out there. We were trying to give people a chance to meet Mr. Duffey – to understand who he is and what he can bring to the table.”
During the Oct. 28 meeting, the council reiterated that Duffey had been selected
California driver’s license,” Connelly explained. “That person voted both those ballots in the same dropbox at the same time. We figured that out and referred that person to be prosecuted.”
She also described a time when someone came to drop off their ballot just after the office closed.
“We had a man come two minutes after we closed the drop box,” she said. “He’d had his ballot for 29 days. Don’t wait until the last minute.”
Connelly also addressed ballots appearing to have been cast by those who have been dead for years and how her office handles it, while also suggesting that the public can assist with voter accuracy.
“There’s certain steps that the public could take to help us out,” she said. “We have a number of protocols about how we cross-reference who has died to remove them. If someone has died in your family, contact your office and let us know. But we do cross-reference death records and change of addresses.”
way upgrades and the eBART extension to Antioch, plus key interchanges like Balfour Road and first-/last-mile improvements, Blasky said.
Measure J was one of several funding sources for all three of these projects, contributing $137.7 million to the eBART extension and $132 million to the Highway 4 widening, in addition to other regional, state, and funds such as Measure C and bridge tolls.
Future projects, aimed at safety, reliability, and providing better connections within Contra Costa County include:
• Interstate 680/Highway 4 interchange: This will complete connector ramps to reduce weaving and backups. Design, including completion of detailed engineering plans, environmental work along with utility and right-of-way coordination, and funding work from a mix of local Measure J funds, state transportation grants, regional bridge toll revenues and federal grants are advancing. Construction phases will roll out over the next several years pending finalization of funding and approvals from Caltrans and the California Transportation Commission.
as the most qualified candidate from over 60 applicants in a nationwide search that included several rounds of interviews, background and reference checks.
“Mr. Duffey stood out among all of the candidates for his proven leadership, collaborative management style, and experience in cities of similar size and complexity,” Meyer said in an Oct. 15 press release ahead of Duffey’s official appointment. “After a thorough background check and interview process, the City Council believes Mr. Duffey is the right person to move Brentwood forward. We’re excited to introduce him to the community as part of this important next step.”
For his part, Duffey said that he wants to move forward following the 5-0 vote.
“Let us work together to ensure that we highlight the specialness of Brentwood,” he said.
The full meeting can be watched at https://bit.ly/48UuFZI
To view a video, visit www.thepress.net/ multimedia
To combat perceived voter fraud, Connelly’s office offers a program called the “Certified Election Observer Program.”
“The idea was if you want to get a deep dive and become an expert in elections administration, we’ll teach you,” she said. “It’s about 14 hours of in-person training. The idea was that we wanted to build up the number of people in our community who can sort of speak fluently about elections and whether they can help their cynical uncle at the dinner table who maybe has been lied to about some stuff. … Some of our biggest critics have become our best advocates after they see how much oversight there is.”
“I just think that it’s important that we’re doing everything that we can to help defend democracy and make elections work well,” she added. “We all care about getting the right answer. We all follow the law.”
For details, call 925-325-7900 or visit www.contracostavote.gov
To view a video, visit www.thepress.net/multimedia
For details, visit https://ccta.net/ Tax Dollars from page 1
• Northbound Interstate 680 express lanes: This will close a gap in the express lane on I-680, reducing peak-hour bottlenecks and improving travel time by creating a continuous express lane through from Livorna Road in Walnut Creek to just south of the Benicia-Martinez Bridge, smoothing the flow of traffic for all drivers during peak
periods with more traffic.
• Countywide Smart Signals: This program will upgrade more than 300 traffic signals on major arterial routes across Contra Costa, helping cities sync lights that will reduce delays, and improve emergency and transit movement. According to Blasky, the CCTA is working with the county and all 19 cities and towns in the county to upgrade and modernize traffic signal infrastructure with new controllers, which will improve efficiency and safety.
• Shared Mobility Hubs between Martinez Amtrak, Walnut Creek BART, and Bishop Ranch: This will provide safer pedestrian and bike links, first/last-mile connections, and rider amenities. Currently in the planning phase, it will move into early implementation beginning in the next couple of years. According to the CCTA, shared mobility hubs are locations where various modes of transportation such as biking, walking, transit, and carpooling come together.
• Autonomous, first/last-mile shuttles: These will connect neighborhoods, job centers, and transit hubs with self-driving shuttles as the technology and regulations develop “within the next few years,” Blasky said. “The technology has been proven. It’s just a matter of the technology rolling out to public transportation.”
“Vehicles like that which are automotive grade and can go 40 mph and carry
10-15 passengers are potential game changers compared to the shuttles that rolled out over the last 10 years, including the ones that we piloted at Bishop Ranch and Rossmoor this year,” he added. “When those are integrated into our public transit system, we see them as perfect vehicles in communities like Brentwood by connecting them to larger transit centers like BART.”
This project builds on years of testing at GoMentum Station in Concord, the nation’s largest automated vehicle testing facility, along with several public pilot programs in Contra Costa County.
• Advanced Air Mobility exploration: Future air-taxi connections are being studied that would link Contra Costa County to regional airports such as Byron and Buchanan Field, increasing ground transportation options.
Blasky added that while specific construction dates aren’t listed yet, the schedules of these projects are dependent on the final design, permitting, and grant money.
Additionally, based on CCTA’s latest audited financial records, the lifetime sales tax revenues are estimated at $2.59 billion by the end of the measure.
“That’s how we connect our county, by focusing on safety, accessibility, and connectivity,” Haile said. “That’s how we’ll tackle our toughest commutes, with real, measurable improvements.”
DUFFEY
