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YOUR HOMETOWN NEWS | SERVING EAST COUNTY
Vol. 23, No. 41
Violators A love of learning prompt complaints
Chamber names top nonprofit by Dawnmarie Fehr Correspondent
by Tony Kukulich Correspondent
DISCOVERY BAY Responding to complaints from residents, a team of six officers from Contra Costa County Code Enforcement swept into the Town of Discovery Bay last month and issued hundreds of notices for county ordinance violations. There also were complaints about the improper storage of boats, trailers and recreational vehicles (RV), the code enforcement team issued a notice to comply to 325 residents. “When we issue the notice to comply, it allows the property owner or the tenant to come into compliance by either removing the boat or RV from the driveway; screening the boat behind a fence or taking it to an (offsite) storage place to store it there,” said Joe Losado, managing director of county see Code page 22
Photo courtesy of Weblative Media
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arin Elementary School fifth-graders Elin Cagadoc and Aliah Carrera, and first-grader Greyson Cagadoc, recently used their artistic skills to showcase their love of in-person learning after a year of remote instruction forced by the COVID-19 pandemic. “Words cannot express how much the kids love and appreciate being in school and enjoying the ability to interact with their classmates and teachers again in person,” the parents said in a joint press release. “The kids wanted to express their appreciation in a big and artistic way, taking five hours to complete the chalk art at the entry of Garin Elementary Office for teachers and To view a video, visit www.thepress.net/multimedia. staff to see.”
Young couple embraces love in face of illness by Dawnmarie Fehr Correspondent
REGIONAL A young East County couple is holding onto love for as long as they can. Isabella Cristobal, 20, and Sergio Soto, 20, married last month in San Francisco, despite a terminal diagnosis for Soto of leukemia earlier this year. Soto has been battling Myelodysplastic Syndrome – a severe, chronic syndrome usually found in people over the age of 65 – since he was 15. Myelodysplastic Syndrome often progresses into acute myeloid leukemia, as it did in Soto’s case. Over the past five years, he has undergone three bone marrow transBusiness.................................14 Calendar................................16
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plants and multiple chemotherapy treatments, but at this point, the doctors have given him only weeks to live. “Unfortunately, a few weeks ago, we found out the leukemia had spread to his jaw, head, neck, spine, and joints, which meant it was terminal,” said Cristobal. “Thus the grim diagnosis.” The couple met at a mutual friend’s quinceanera in 2016, shortly before Soto’s original diagnosis. Cristobal said they began dating and Soto changed her perspective on life. “Sergio was a very outgoing guy,” said Cristobal. “And at 15, see Couple page 22
Classifieds.............................18 Entertainment.......................8
Photo courtesy of Isabella Cristobal
East County couple Isabella Cristobal, 20, and Sergio Soto, 20, married last month in San Francisco, despite a terminal diagnosis for Soto of leukemia earlier this year. Food..........................................8 Milestones............................16
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BRENTWOOD Working Wonders has been named the Brentwood Chamber of Commerce’s Nonprofit of the Year for 2020. Founded in 2016 by Brentwood residents Matt Schwab and Emil Geddes, the organization’s mission is to give adults with disabilities choices about where they live, work and play. Working Wonders provides sustainable opportunities to improve their clients’ lives, including work-related programs and opportunities for personal growth, independence and social interaction. Schwab said he and his fellow board members are inspired by the experiences of their clients and their clients’ family members. “We have a good board and a really good projection for the future,” said Schwab. “We feel everyone in the community has value, and those who may have to overcome a little more can still count. They go to movies and restaurants and have jobs and families and deserve opportunities to thrive. Our role is to move that along, help these folks achieve their goals.” Working Wonders has received community support, not just from individuals but from the Chamber and the Rotary Club of Brentwood as well. Chamber president Gerald Johnson said the organization will be highlighted at the chamber’s upcoming “Celebrating Brentwood” dinner on Oct. 21. “Working Wonders is a terrific young organization whose mission is to assist adults with disabilities in our community,” Johnson said.