Streets of Brentwood under new ownership
By Jake Menez Staff Writer
The Streets of Brentwood shopping center at the intersection of Highway 4 and Sand Creek Road has been acquired by a “prominent developer,” according to an Oct. 17 press release by the city of Brentwood.
“The Streets of Brentwood will continue to provide safe, healthy, and enjoyable experiences for the more than 400,000 residents of the Delta Region,” City Manager Tim
the Streets of Brentwood.”
CenterCal Properties, LLC is the new
owner of the property, according to the press release. CenterCal is a developer that boasts “vibrant retail and entertainment destinations” and is the owner and operator of similar properties such as The Veranda in Concord and Bay Street in Em -
Liberty High art program debuts latest senior project
By Jeff Weisinger Staff Writer
The fish statue at the intersection of Sand Creek Road and O’Hara Avenue that was installed by Liberty High School’s Public Art and Design Academy (PADA) late last spring is getting an upgrade.
Liberty’s PADA program, led by Jake Edwards, presented their plans for this year’s senior project – adding sculptures of birds to surround the recently installed fish called “Birds of Beauty.”
“The city wanted us to add onto it this year,” Edwards said. “So we just decided to go with local birds, and the kids had to come up with the idea.”
“We came up with three different concepts and the art commission chose this idea.”
Edwards’ students from the PADA program filled the seats inside the Brentwood City Council’s chambers Tuesday night, while Liberty’s Alex Olsen and Asia DiBartolo presented the plans to the council. They
The Streets of Brentwood shopping center off of Sand Creek Road was recently bought by a developer who hopes to ‘transform’ it.
Liberty’s Asia DiBartolo and Alex Olsen present the PADA program’s newest project to the Brentwood City Council Tuesday night.
Photo by Jeff Weisinger
showed a model concept of what the overall project would look like, along with showing and explaining to the City Council what materials they will be using for the new sculptures. They also rolled in a sculpture of a bald eagle to show an example of how
see Art page 18
eryville, along with several others across the Western United States. The developer’s plan, as stated in the press release, is to “revitalize the Streets see Streets page 18
Cause of power outages in Discovery Bay still unknown
By Dawnmarie Fehr Correspondent
PG&E officials say they are still trying to figure out what caused one of the four unplanned power outages that affected most of its customers in Discovery Bay last month.
Residents were inconvenienced by the outages, with the largest impacting 4,500 homes.
The initial outage occurred on Sept. 16, affecting 4,500 customers from about 5:30-7 p.m. The next two happened on Sept. 23, with 1,300 homes losing power at 6 p.m. for about three hours, and another 700 homes losing power from 9:30 p.m. until almost 4 a.m. the next day.
“ The frustrating thing is we get nothing from PG&E except a text saying it’s an unplanned outage.
Carolyn Graham, Community Services District director
The final outage on Sept. 24 affected 1,300 homes from about 5-9 p.m., with the cause still un-
see Power page 18
Photo courtesy of Streets of Brentwood
Ogden said. “The City of Brentwood is thrilled to welcome CenterCal to our community and looks forward to partnering on this exciting new chapter for
Have an interesting photo or breaking news story? Email your information to editor@brentwoodpress.com.
A fun way to learn about STEM
Freedom Astronomical Society hosts educational event for elementary students
By Nicole Becchina Staff Writer
The Freedom High School Astronomical Society hosted an Astronomy Educational Event at Almond Grove Elementary School on Oct. 22 where elementary students participated in hands-on educational activities, STEM (science, technology, education, math) based empowerment, and interacted with high school students who serve as positive role models for them. The elementary students explored a variety of astronomy based stations, called “space stations,” that incorporated learning, art and movement.
“I started organizing these events last year as a central part of the club, and their main goal is to get kids excited about astronomy and STEM subjects by being able to interact with role models passionate about it while allowing high school students to make an impact in their community in a fun way,” said Noelle Pedersen, a student
at Freedom High School, founder and current president of the Astronomical Society at Freedom.
Pedersen said the Astronomical Society hosted a rocketlaunching event last spring that was “extremely successful.”
“I think it’s really important for people to know about these events so we can have more fun, educational events like this in our community,” Pedersen said. “I created a website at Clubconnectedeastbay.com that’s meant to make the connections between clubs, schools, and organizations that want to have events and am currently working on getting it out to schools, which will allow me to add
more clubs to my club list.”
At the Astronomy Educational event, elementary students collected tickets to turn in for candy and astronomythemed stickers.
“I think the most exciting part of the event for the students here is a two-fold,” said Almond Grove Principal Adam Liebow. “They are learning about space, which is always an interest to students, and they’re working with older mentors from the high school that are sharing their experiences. So it’s kind of getting them both together.”
To view a video, visit www.thepress.net/multimedia
The care you need...the community you deserve!
“After touring several communities, we chose TreVista to be my mom's new home. My mom has lived at TreVista for almost a year and is thriving! The staff, from top to bottom, has been phenomenal! They are always cheerful and truly care about the residents. We are so happy with our choice.”
Lisa, Daughter of a TreVista Resident
Scan the QR code with your phone for answers Take our free survey and get a personalized recommendation in five minutes or less. Learn more about TreVista in Antioch. (925) 470-3395 info@TreVista-Antioch.com
Almond Grove students enjoy astronomy activities at “space stations” during the Astronomy Educational Event.
Photos by Andrew Rulloda
Rotary Club, Los Medanos College showcase Digs-&-Rigs for Brentwood’s children
By Connor Robles Correspondent
The Brentwood Rotary Club held their first-ever Digs-&-Rigs charity event last Saturday co-sponsored by Los Medanos College at their Brentwood campus, showcasing construction and emergency vehicles to children and their parents.
Digs-&-Rigs featured numerous different types of construction, service, and emergency vehicles, with two fire trucks, an armored police truck, a backhoe, and a bus being just a few examples. Each one was attended by at least one expert in their use, who helped children get into, out of, and around the vehicles.
Aside from these main attractions, there was also a children’s area with lots of games, a video games trailer from Ultimate Game Truck, educational booths for Brentwood city services and Los Medanos College, and a dining area serviced by food trucks such as Oysters Oh’ La La and Boondoggies. Children could also take part in a scavenger hunt, with everyone recieving a card with pictures of each of the event’s rigs. By checking them all, they earned the chance to get a photo or video taken of them on a 360-degree camera.
More than 500 people attended Digs-&-Rigs, and 166 tickets were presold, according to Rotary community service chairwoman Jayne Oertwig; the exact number of tickets sold on the day of the event is not yet known. Rotary’s funding goal was $4,000, and preliminary figures indicate they will exceed that goal, club president Oscar Peccorini said. The proceeds will be used to support local scholarships, international polio eradica-
Digs-&-Rigs featured numerous different types of construction, service, and emergency vehicles, with two fire trucks, an armored police truck, a backhoe, and a bus being just a few examples.
tion, Rotary-affiliated charities, and Los Medanos College’s foundation for scholarships, with proceeds split between the two host organizations.
The many vehicles at Digs-&-Rigs proved fascinating to the younger crowd, evident by their smiles.
Toddler Byron Ziegler’s joy was apparent as he honked the horn of the small excavator he sat inside. Around him, other children his age, and some a few years older, wondered at the mighty machines parked in front of Los Medanos for
Quail Lodge is one of the only Independent Living Communities in the area!
It’s time for resort style living isn’t it? Enjoy the value of a relaxed lifestyle where everything is included with your spacious apartment.
Ease into a community where socializing, making new friends and connecting through activities such as happy hours with live music, paint and sip and exercise classes are just some of the activities to choose from.
in person! Call Community Development Director at 925-350-1209
them to explore.
“It’s really cool for all this stuff to be available for children to play with--my little guy loves it,” said Byron’s father Sean Ziegler. Naj Moore, another parent with her child, concurred. “It’s wonderful…The weather is great, it’s a great location with easy parking--it’s great for parents and kids!”
Her son Khai also voiced his enjoyment, though he was mainly interested in making progress on the scavenger hunt.
Oertwig credited Hot Line Construc-
tion for their significant assistance in setting up the event. Despite playing a critical role in the planning, they were unable to bring their vehicles due to them being needed in the hurricane-devastated areas on the East Coast. For more information on that endeavor, see https://www. thepress.net/features/brentwood-company-assists-florida-victims-after-hurricanes/article_848de3cc-8ca6-11ef-bdc647d5e5854d41.html.
To view a video and a slideshow, visit www.thepress.net/multimedia
Photos by Connor Robles
Trilogy bike club celebrates its growth, safer streets
By Dale S. Satre Correspondent
The Trilogy community hosted a luncheon on Monday, Oct. 14 to celebrate the evolution of its various cycling groups, with a focus on community and road safety. Brentwood police officers joined the luncheon to give a presentation to the estimated 64 people who attended on the rules of the road for cycling.
“We were very pleased with the level of participation,” said Howard Feinberg, a Trilogy cyclist and one of the organizers of the luncheon.
Trilogy’s cycling community, whose current age range is 50s to 80s, started in 2015 with a group of four riders that would ride once per week, according to Jerry Schmidt, one of the early members of the cycling group. The group would ride to Willy’s Bagels on Balfour Road, and also took their bikes to various routes in the Bay Area. Schmidt credits the e-bike revolution around 2016 with increasing access to cycling and with it the group’s numbers. The riders eventually started designating separate groups: female cyclists established the “Pedal Pushers,” e-bikes formed the “EZ-Riders,” and dedicated cyclists established the “Cyclopaths” group.
The group’s numbers and riding range expanded with COVID as well. Various Trilogy cyclists credited the group
The Trilogy community is home to several different cycling groups – Florescent green is the EZ Riders, the 4 in black are the Cyclopaths, and the pink are the Pedal Pushers.
with enhancing their mental health and community spirit during the pandemic.
Mike and Alice McLaughlin, who were recently married, met through the group. “The group absolutely helped us through exercise, camaraderie, and mental health,” Mike McLaughlin said.
Eight members of the Cyclopaths also announced that they’ll be riding in Italy in May 2025. Trip organizer Guy Cun-
ningham will be guiding the team through nine days of cycling for 328 miles, with a stop in Florence.
Lindzie Laughridge, the Brentwood Police Department’s community engagement officer, also discussed how to comply with road laws and stay safe. “We strongly suggest that all bike riders wear their helmets at all times and to follow all the rules of road,” she said.
Shear Canine
Dog Grooming
Shear Canine likes to build healthy and open relationships with customers to ensure they receive the best service possible. It is their goal to keep the grooming process simple and convenient, while making your pet look and feel great. Every pet in their care is treated with kindness, patience and respect
Bob Frank, one of the founding members of the Trilogy cycling group, said he was grateful for the new bike path bridge over Highway 4. Despite the multifold increase with traffic in the past decade, Frank said safety has been improved with the new designated bike trails that are off the roads. “I’m happy with the development around Brentwood,” he said. “It has been great for cycling.”
Submitted photos
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 25
Nukeville Nightmares-Presented by Condemned Compound and Brentwood PAL
This haunted house will be at 6181 Brentwood Blvd. Gates will open at 6 p.m. and the haunted house will be open from 7-10 p.m. There will be a jumpy house and a mini train. The attraction will be open on Oct. 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, and 31. For more information, visit the Condemned Compound’s Facebook page @the condemned compound haunt.
Oakley Senior Citizens
Casino Day Bus Trip
Round-trip motorcoach transportation to Redhawk Casino is provided. Participants will meet at the Senior Center at 215 Second St. in Oakley and the bus will leave at 8 a.m. Reservations are $47 per person and must be paid by Monday, Oct. 21. To reserve a spot, call Joyce at 925- 626-7223 or Allan at 925-265-3417.
The Streets of Brentwood-Treats at Streets
This free trick-or-treat event will be from 5-7 p.m. at 2455 Sand Creek Road in Brentwood. Trick or treat at the stores while supplies last. A free pumpkin with a $10 receipt from any The Streets of Brentwood retailer. One pumpkin per person per receipt while supplies last. One free treat per child while supplies last. For more information, visit https://shopstreetsofbrentwood.com/events.
Trunk or Treat at Delta Valley Health Club
Delta Valley Health Club’s annual free Trunk or Treat event will be from 5-8 p.m. at 120 Guthrie Lane in Brentwood. There will be more than 20 vendors, a jumpy house, candy, face painting, food trucks and more for all ages. For more information visit https://deltavac.com/ Saturday, October 26
Byron Community Cleanup
The Byron Community Cleanup is scheduled on Main Street in downtown Byron from 8 a.m.-noon. Each resident is allowed to dispose of five cubic yards of material, which is about the size of a pickup truck bed 8 feet by 5 feet with material stacked about three feet high. Items that are not permitted include: dirt and rock, liquid waste, mattresses and box springs, electronic waste, concrete and bricks, appliances, hazardous waste, tires and fiberglass. The disposal service will accept any type of
scrap metal. A valid ID and current disposal bill are required to participate. Residents will be required to unload their stuff into dumpsters, with the help of volunteers. For more information, contact Claire Alaura at county Supervisor Diane Burgis’s office at 925-655-2337 or claire. alaura@boscccounty.us.
Paws on Parade
The Discovery Bay Lions Club presents Paws on Parade at the community center at 1601 Discovery Bay Blvd. from 9 a.m.-noon. There will be vendors, adoptions, canine demonstrations, photo opportunities, kids face painting and a dog parade. Prizes awarded for best costume. Admission is free. For details, contact Rita Caruso at 925-640-5746 or rcaruso@ homeownersfg.com, or visit discoverybaylions. com.
Prescription Drug Takeback Day
The Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff will be hosting National Prescription Drug Take Back Day from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Drop off your unneeded medications at the Sandy Cove Shopping Center at Highway 4in Discovery Bay (between the CVS and Safeway).
Halloween Party at Brentwood
ACE Hardware
There will be a barbecue demonstration outdoors – rain or shine – hosted by ACE Hardware. Inside, there will be free pumpkin decorating for kids, Halloween treats and local favorite Face Painting by Wandie. The event is from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at 8900 Brentwood Blvd. in Brentwood.
Hometown Halloween:
Monster Mash Bash
The event will be from 4-8 p.m. in downtown Brentwood on Oak Street, First Street, and Brentwood Boulevard, from Third Street to Diablo Way and Chestnut to Maple. Trick-ortreating is free, and there will be booths from local merchants. For more information, visit http://brentwoodchamber.com.
Sunday, October 27
Kiwanis 2024 Pride of the Delta Restaurant Tour-Antioch
Participants can sample food from 10 restaurants from 1-5 p.m. Tickets are $20 and all proceeds benefit local charities. To purchase tickets, call Kay Power at 925-202-3519 or Allison Norris at 925-642-5404. For more information and to see a list of participating restaurants, visit https://www.eventbrite. com/e/pride-of-the-delta-antioch-restauranttour-tickets-998875131407
Halloween Hoopla
The event will take place from 3-5 p.m. at
Resurrection Ministries, 1275 Fairview Ave. in Brentwood. There will be trick or treating, candy, games, and piñatas. Guests are encouraged to come in costume. To help with the event or for more information, contact Kristenakocsis@ gmail.com.
Wednesday, October 30
Winter Weather Preparedness: District 3 town hall meeting with Contra Costa Public Works
The Contra Costa Public Works department will present a town hall meeting on from 6-7:30 p.m. at the Brentwood Community Center, 35 Oak St., to talk about ways to prepare for the rainy season in East County. Topics include: agency updates, drainage responsibilities, GIS mapping of drainage facilities, and drainage references. To RSVP, call 925-655-2330 or email supervisor_burgis@boscccounty.us.
Thursday, October 31
Halloween Parade
The Discovery Bay Chamber of Commerce will put on its Halloween parade at 10 a.m. Students from Discovery Bay Elementary School will parade to the Riverlake Shopping Center. Treat bags will be provided to children to collect candy from businesses. To set up a table and provide candy for children, contact Cindy at (925) 513-4175.
Antioch Wesleyan Church Trunk or Treat
This is a free event from 5:30-8 p.m. at 2800 Sunset Lane in Antioch. For more information visit http://antiochwesleyan.com Fall Fest 2024
There will be trunk or treat, face painting, a bike raffle for kids, bounce houses, a hay ride, carnival games, and more at this free event from 6-8 p.m. at The Bay Church Brentwood Campus, 2200 Ventura Road in Brentwood. For more information visit https://thebay.church/ brentwood/
On the Horizon
Saturday, November 2
Knightsen Wetland Restoration Project Open House
The on-site open house will be from 9:30-11:30 a.m. The entrance to the site is near the intersection of the Byron Highway and Eagle Lane, in Knightsen. For directions and to register to attend, visit http://wetlandopenhouse2. eventbrite.com. Representatives from the Knightsen Wetland Restoration Project Team will be available to answer questions. For more
information, email aaron@catalystgroupa.com or call (415) 524-2224. Visit the project website at, www.tinyurl.com/Wetland-Knightsen.
Holiday Boutique Charity Fundraiser
The event will take place from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Discovery Bay Yacht Club, 5871 Marina Blvd. There will be holiday gifts, decor, artisan vendors and treats. Lunch will be available for purchase from the Bay Grill. All proceeds will benefit Coyote Crossing and the Delta Food Bank. For more information, contact Cheryl Cados at 408-768-7209.
Heritage Jazz Benefit Concert
The concert will include performances from Heritage High Combined Jazz, Heritage High Latin Combo, Jonah Greth’s Jazz Band, and Elijah Lopez’s Jazz Band. It will take place at 5 p.m. at the Heritage High School Theatre, 101 American Ave. in Brentwood. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students. Children ages 4 and under are admitted free. Donations will also be accepted. The concert is an Eagle Scout project helping to raise funds for professional music stands for the Heritage High School Band Program.
8th Annual Tamale Festival
Brentwood PAL Fundraiser
This year’s Tamale Festival will be from 5-10 p.m. at the Brentwood Community Center, 35 Oak St. in Brentwood. Enjoy food, entertainment, and a live auction and raffle. Each meal includes an all-you-can-eat dinner with tamales, rice, beans, salad, dessert, and non-alcoholic beverages. Tickets are $40 per person, or $400 for a table of 10, and can be purchased at https://www.accelevents.com/e/ brentwoodpaltamalefestival. Proceeds benefit Brentwood PAL “Shop with a Cop” holiday program.
Saturday, November 9
Holiday Faire at Cogir Senior Living
The free faire will take place at Cogir Senior Living, 150 Cortona Way in Brentwood. There will be crafts, jewelry, home decor, Christmas gifts and more from 9 a.m-2 p.m. For more information, visit https://cogirusa.com/ communities/cogir-of-brentwood/
Holiday Pop-Up Book Sale at Friends of the Brentwood Library
Find some bargains on a variety of books from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. on the second floor of the Brentwood Library, 104 Oak St. The sale will feature holiday books and puzzles, holiday classics, fiction, children’s books, and many of today’s bestsellers. For more information, visit https://www.friendsofthebrentwoodlibrary. org/
by Vera Martinez, Certified Travel Agent
Offseason Travel to Europe V
Supervisor
Diane Burgis’s office has released an infographic letting those who vote by mail know the process that leads to their ballot being counted in the Nov. 5 election. According to a press release, voteby-mail return envelopes contain a unique ID to help with signature verification and to ensure voters vote only once. Registered voters can drop their ballots off:
• In the mail
• In a drop box
• In person at a vote center, polling place or
Have you ever considered traveling in the offseason to Europe? The benefits are great for those who make the trek during the time less traveled!
FEWER CROWDS
Imagine the famous landmarks, museums, and other prominent hot spots of your dream destination without crowds. The atmosphere is different, and there’s no rush to move along; you can stay put and meditate on what the space means to you — and all those who came before you.
SAVORING SHOULDER SEASON AND SWEATER WEATHER
While summer might conjure images of sunny skies and the sparkling turquoise waters of the Mediterranean, depending on the locale, fall and winter usher in a charm unmatched during the rest of the year, whether you’re looking to watch
cascades of color as the trees change hue in autumn or to stroll through a winter wonderland coated in freshly fallen snow.
SEASONAL DELIGHTS
Perhaps the best part of traveling in the offseason is what becomes uniquely available based on the time of year. In Northern Europe, your chance of seeing the Northern Lights increases exponentially. In European cities and towns, Christmas markets appear as they have for hundreds of years, offering mulled wine and festive cheer. And, if your travels take you to any of the many stunning mountain ranges, quaint villages transform into winter sports hubs. Après ski, anyone?
To Book Your Dream Vacation call me at 925-639-9194 or go to www.vmartinez.dreamvacations.com.
EDITORIALS, LETTERS & COMMENTARY
Have something to say? Post a comment or submit a letter to the editor at www.thepress.net/site/forms.
Groups help you understand importance of Media Literacy Week Oct. 21-25
The annual Media Literacy Week was Oct. 21-25. Digital4Good X #ICANHELP is known for digital safety and literacy. National Association for Media Literacy (NAMLE) is all about promoting media literacy regarding what people consume online and decide what they make of it.
Guest
Another way to think of media literacy is that we get fed online and regurgitate what we make of it. Partnering with NAMLE brings out our #ICANHELP Engage, Educate, Digital Media Literacy, Well-being, and even Footprint and Identity categories.
This national week was meant to provide and understand the importance of media literacy. We understand the need to learn and analyze what’s happening in the world of media and
be able to evaluate and act upon what we see online. With elections around the corner, this is the time to use the art of media literacy.
What is NAMLE?
Every day when we go on our phones, laptops, or any other device that has access to the internet we read and or watch various media and we have options to scroll through or act upon it. Almost 95% of Americans have access to the internet so they would learn media literacy in any type of way. For reference by NAMLE, they described Media Literacy Week with five components to outline the definition of media literacy: Access, Analyze, Evaluate, Create, and Act.
‘Access’ is defined as when, where, and how people have access to skills in life to thrive. This gives a wide range of anything and almost everything. Then we have analyzed, this step is the pro-
LETTERS POLICY
The Press invites your comments. Letters must be no longer than 325 words and include name, address and phone number for confirmation.
The Press reserves the right to edit submissions for length, clarity, potential libel and taste, or to not print letters we feel violate our standards of acceptance.
Opinions expressed in letters are not necessarily the opinions of The Press, whose opinions are contained in clearly marked editorials.
Send correspondence to The Press, 248 Oak St., Brentwood, California, 94513; or email editor@ brentwoodpress.com.
cess of questioning the media given this is essentially researching the topic of media to the authors, the credibility, etc.
This goes into the next step, ‘evaluation’. This is the time to draw one’s conclusions about this topic, a self-reflection moment.
Next is the ‘create’ stage. This stage has people express themselves to the media from writing to creating content.
Lastly, ‘taking action’ is the final component, This is described as the culmination of the first three components. Once we have access to the media, we analyze the media, evaluate for ourselves what that means, create our views, and then act upon what we have learned about the world for a better cause.
Connecting with Digital4Good x #ICANHELP
At Digital4Good X #ICANHELP, we understand the importance of media
literacy. Everyone who has access to media does it every day even if it’s a simple like or repost. We are an organization that promotes and educates students, teachers, and parents about the online world that millions of people have access to. With the right tools, we want to spread awareness of media literacy and how to apply it to various matters.
In addition to media literacy, check out Digital4Good X #ICANHELP’s blogs and other forms of media relating to this topic:
• Hospital literacy: How to use technology to take charge of your health
• Propaganda in Digital Age: How It Affects Wellness
For more information, visit icanhelp.net and follow us on social media to stay updated.
Emma Cheng is a seasonal public relations intern at Digital4Good
comment
Have you or someone you know reached a “milestone”? If so, we’d like to know about it! Email your information to editor@brentwoodpress.com.
She’s an ace in the hole
Photo courtesy of Guy Gandenberger
Brentwood resident Jackie Gandenberger scored her first hole-inone during her second time ever playing golf. This took place at Brentwood Golf Club on Sept. 20. She hit her 6-iron 119 yards on the 15th hole for the ace. Her husband was happy for her, but jealous having played golf for 35 years without ever scoring one himself.
Local business owners take a sabbatical
The Discovery Bay Chamber of Commerce hosted a “mega mixer” on Oct. 16 for the Brentwood, Oakley and Discovery Bay Chambers. A great time was had by all at Sabbatical distillery on Victoria Island, according to those who attended the event. “If you missed it, you missed out on some great spirits, friendship and an amazing tour of the distillery,” one attendee said. More information on Sabbatical can be found at www.drinksabbatical.com. Information about the East County Chambers can be found at their respective websites: brentwoodchamber.com and discoverybaychamber.com, and oakleychamber.org.
Bristow students tour Washington, D.C.
Bristow students Josh Terry, Jack O’Donnell, Aubriella Amaro and Isabella Ellenberger lay a wreath at the Tomb of Unkown Soldier on Wednesday, Oct. 2, during their October break.
Their teacher, Gina Terry, has been taking students on this trip for over 20 years, saying that it furthers their education to see things in person.
“It’s one thing to learn about it,” she said. “But to actually be there and see it tangibly makes all the difference. It helps them to truly learn what our government and our country are about.” To view more photos of the event, visit www.thepress.net/multimedia/slideshows
Submitted Photo
Submitted Photos
Hometown SportS
Liberty Lions prepare to battle Pittsburg, ranked 19th in the state
By Juan Cebreiros Correspondent
Liberty head football coach Mike Cable and the rest of the team view themselves as underdogs going into their matchup this week against the Pirates at Pittsburg High.
“We’re up to the challenge,” Cable said of the matchup against Pittsburg during Tuesday’s practice. “We have everything to gain and nothing to lose. Everyone expects us to lose this game so its really no pressure.”
The Lions were the last team to beat Pittsburg in Bay Valley Athletic League play back in 2018. Since then, the Pirates have dominated the BVAL, winning their last 27 league games and capturing five straight league titles.
“When it’s Pitt week, it carries a whole different meaning,” Cable said. “They’re a great program and they’re a hell of a team. We definitely have our hands full.”
Liberty almost pulled off the upset during Cable’s first season in 2022. The team rallied from down 16 at halftime to lead 29-28 in the final minutes. However, a last-second field goal from Pittsburg secured a Pirates’ win.
Cable said he hopes this year’s Liberty team goes into their game against Pittsburg with the same fight-back mentality they did back in 2022.
“What you take from that is if it happens again, we have every opportunity to climb back into this game and play
four quarters of football,” Cable said, “Regardless of what happens in the first quarter or the second quarter, just keep playing and doing what we do and enjoy where the night takes us.”
However, in last year’s battle between these two teams, Pittsburg ran for 297
yards and three touchdowns against the Lions defense in a 34-13 Pirates win.
Pittsburg will enter Friday night at 6-1 on the season with their only loss coming against St. John Bosco, the second-ranked team in the nation. In their six wins, the Pirates’ offense has scored over 35 points in all of them, while their defense has held opponents to 20 points or less in five of their six wins.
“Against a team like Pitt, once you start making mistakes they will exploit you,” Cable said. “It’s just making sure that we play every play and be ready for if we do give up those big plays, that we’re focused on the next one and not worried about the scoreboard.”
One big thing Cable said he noticed while preparing this week was Pittsburg’s speed at all positions and how containing that will be one of the biggest key points in Friday night’s contest.
Cable also added that his team has continued to get healthy over the past few weeks.
“We’re pretty healthy all across the board so we can’t point to that as a reason why we’re not at full strength,” Cable said. “Now, it’s about us executing and playing our best brand of football. If we’re able to stick around and make Pittsburg sweat a little bit, that’s gonna be fun.”
Heritage looks to bounce back at Freedom
By Jeff Weisinger Staff Writer
Heritage is focused on Freedom.
That much can be said about the atmosphere at the team’s practice this week as the Patriots prepare for a team this week on the other side of the BVAL spectrum, the 0-7 Freedom Falcons Friday night in Oakley.
”The Freedom game is a huge game for us with our eyes now on (North Coast Section playoffs) and where we’re going to be seeded,” said head coach Dave Fogelstrom. “We need to get to six wins this week, so this is the biggest game we’ve played so far.”
The Patriots saw their win streak end at five games following their 45-0 loss against the defending BVAL champs Pittsburg Pirates last Friday in Brentwood, their worst loss of the season and the first time this season that the team has been shut out.
“The whole team is itching to get back on the field,” Fogelstrom said. “We walked out of here with a bad taste in our mouth. It was an ugly game all the way around from the score to some of the things that occurred on the field.”
Senior quarterback Austin Peters struggled in his first start of the season
against the Pirates, however, he said that he plans to use the experience from that matchup going into this Week 8 matchup in Oakley.
”It was more of like a learning experience,” Peters said about last Friday’s loss. “All we can do is just look forward and not dwell on it. Just don’t overthink it, right? It’s only one game and all we can do is go up from there.”
Heritage’s offense runs the ball during Tuesday’s practice in Brentwood.
“We watched the film and went over some of the mistakes that he made and he realized how fast the game was moving at the time,” Fogelstrom said of Peters. “We’re trying to prepare him for this week to get a little better in terms of his reads and we’re going to try to give him some throws to get his confidence back.”
Despite the contrasting seasons between both Heritage and Freedom, the Patriots are adamant that they’re not looking past the Falcons with both a road trip to Antioch and the home Brentwood Bowl matchup against Liberty coming up in the next two weeks.
Photo by Jeff Weisinger
Peters went just 3-for-14 passing for 31 yards with two interceptions against Pittsburg. Junior Justin Arraiz couldn’t get much done either in relief, going just 1-for-5 for nine yards.
Peters is in line for his second-straight start Friday night with starter Phillip Babbitt still out with a shoulder injury suffered in the Patriots’ league-opening win against Deer Valley two weeks ago.
The Falcons have struggled in their first season under new head coach Stephen Rodriguez, including three straight shutouts before their 31-14 loss against Antioch last week.
“They’re well coached and they’re hungry for a win,” Fogelstrom said. “We know that and we’re hungry for our sixth win of the year and to secure a spot in the NCS (playoffs). We don’t want to leave anything up to doubt.”
“We’re still 5-2, we still have a really good winning record and we want to continue that,” Peters added. “That’s our drive.”
A Liberty receiver tries to break through a tackle from a defensive back.
Photo by Juan Cebreiros
‘Samminator’ grabs gold medal in Brazil to add to growing collection
By Jeff Weisinger Staff Writer
Brentwood native Sammy SandovalReyes, 10, didn’t spend her whole childhood training in martial arts. In fact, she wasn’t anywhere near it until just two years ago as her journey to the mat started with a different tune.
“So I was really wanting to learn how to play piano at the school next door,” Sammy said. “Then I heard the sounds of children over here (at the gym), and so I looked through the window and saw kids fighting. I kept looking in there and then the coach asked if I wanted to come in. So I went in and two days later I found myself here.”
“She heard the slamming of the mats,” her father, Herbert Sandoval, added. “It kind of caught us off guard because she’s such a girly girl.”
Two days after choosing the gym over the piano turned into two years of martial arts training and competitions that has re-
sulted in 25 jiu jitsu gold medals or first-place finishes and three championship belts, including recently taking gold at the Brazilian Super Judo Championship and the Rio Judo Confederation League in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil., her first international judo gold medal.
And she’s done all of this while training in her pink gi (robe), with pink gloves, and her hair in a ponytail.
“I felt really honored to have the opportunity to even go there to fight because I didn’t really expect it,” Sammy said. “It kind
of just came to me. I kind of just thought that I would be coming here to (learn) to defend myself.”
Sammy, currently a fifth-grader at Mary Casey Black Elementary School who is called ‘Samminator’ by her parents, was personally invited to compete via a letter by the president of the Confederate Judo League of the State of Rio de Janeiro, Joaquim Mamede de Carvalho de Silva Junior.
“I’m very proud,” Sandoval said. “I get emotional just thinking about Brazil. She trained for the two months (leading into the tournament), she trained hard – blood, sweat, and tears – and she cried because of the way that (coach Marcelo Giudici) was pushing her, and I told her that this is what it takes to reach the top.”
“I train hard so I can fight hard,” Sammy added.
Sandoval took the celebration the hardest, especially considering his background as an amateur boxer and high school wrestler.
“I got emotional watching her. She won her first fight, I was happy, she didn’t just (fly to Brazil) to just get beat up. She won a match that she could say she participated in, she’s successful internationally. When she won the gold, I got goosebumps, I just got watery. She really did it.”
Samantha (Sammy) Sandoval-Reyes sits with her coach, Marcelo Giudici, surrounded by her medals and belts at Giudici Academy in Brentwood.
Photo by Jeff Weisinger
Sammy, the fifth seed in the tournament, defeated top-seeded Sophia Brandt de Luca in the first round, then Nicolle Grillo da Silva in the semifinals before defeating Anna Julia Bento in the championship bout. Every fighter she defeated was seeded higher than her.
Sammy is coached by the seven-time Brazilian national Jiu Jitsu champion Giudici, the owner of Giudici Academy on Sand Creek Road in Brentwood and has been mentored, at times, by Olympian and Pan-American Brazilian judoka Monica Angelucci.
“When (Angelucci) came the first time (for a seminar), she said ‘your child definitely has potential,” Sammy’s mother Susanna Reyes said. “She has the strength, she just said that we have to polish the diamond.
“Being a parent and just looking at your kid, you never think that somebody’s actually going to pay attention to what she’s doing. But from the very first time, she said that she has something and that we need to explore it.”
Giudici has also been impressed with Sammy’s development in just these last two years since she started.
school. She’s a student at Mary Casey Black Elementary School in Brentwood where he’s a part of the GATE (Gifted and Talented Education) and participates in the school’s leadership club.
“Not only is she good on the mat, she’s a really good student,” Reyes said.
Her parents plan to make a trip to Southern California in 2026 to take in the Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, something that they hope will motivate her for the future.
“That would be a great opportunity for her as well,” Sandoval said. “Being at an Olympic event would probably be a ton of motivation for her, if that’s what she really wants to keep doing.”
“I feel like I have a good future ahead of me with martial arts,” Sammy said. “I’m really happy that I’m already pretty successful right now, because I know I’m probably going to be more successful when I’m older. My goal with Jiu Jitsu is to be the best fighter in the world, open up my own gym, and I would like to have my own tournament too.”
As far as the piano lessons are concerned, Sammy did learn the piano. Just, not at the school next door. And not on their pianos either.
Giudici gifted Sammy a full-size Kimball piano, which Sammy learned to play in the same way everyone learns everything today.
“She is number one in my gym,” Giudici said of Sammy. “She has good quality and she’s dedicated. Martial arts is not easy. When she started training, she was dedicated. I talked to the parents about her and she said, ‘this is my dream.’ I want to arrive with a black belt. I want to be a champion of the world.’”
Sammy also competes with Delta Wrestling and wants to compete with Liberty’s wrestling program when she starts high
“I asked ‘what about piano lessons?,’” Sandoval said. “She said that she can learn on the internet.”
She’s now also playing the alto saxophone.
To view a video, visit www.thepress.net/multimedia
C lassifieds & l egals
MULTIMEDIA SALES PERSON
Can you talk to a stranger like you’ve known them forever?
Come help us sell multimedia advertising packages to local business owners!
Work close to home in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment. Sales experience a must! Must be very detailoriented and have proven organizational skills.
Salary plus commission, health benefits and 401K. Full time and part time positions available. Send resume to greg@thepress.net
Real Estate Real Estate
Sudoku
ANNOUNCEMENT
Community Community
Classified Deadline: Mon. at 3pm
CONSUMER CELLULAR the same reliable, nationwide coverage as the largest carriers. No long-term contract, no hidden fees and activation is free. All plans feature unlimited talk and text, starting at just $20 per month. For more information, call 1-844-908-0605
AUTOS WANTED
DONATE YOUR VEHICLE to fund the SEARCH FOR MISSING CHILDREN. FAST FREE PICKUP. 24 hour response. Running or not. Maximum Tax Deduction and No Emission Test Required! Call 24/7: 1-877-434-6852.
GOT AN UNWANTED CAR??? DONATE IT TO PATRIOTIC HEARTS. Fast free pick up. All 50 States. Patriotic Hearts’ programs help veterans find work or start their own business. Call 24/7: 1-855-408-6546.
Get a break on your taxes! Donate your car, truck, or SUV to assist the blind and visually impaired. Arrange a swift, no-cost vehicle pickup and secure a generous tax credit for 2025. Call Heritage for the Blind Today at 1-844-491-2884 today!
Tiene un vehiculo no deseado? Donelo a Patriotic Hearts! Recogida rapida y gratuita en los 50 estados. Patriotic Hearts ofrece programas para ayudar a los veteranos a encontrar trabajo o iniciar su propio negocio. Llama ahora: 1-855-408-7368 24/7
FINANCIAL SERVICES
Struggling with debt? If you have over $10,000 in debt we help you be debt free in as little as 24-48 months. Pay nothing to enroll. Call Now: 1-877-435-4860.
HOME IMPROVEMENT
BATH & SHOWER UPDATES in as little as ONE DAY! Affordable prices - No payments for 18 mos. Lifetime warranty & professional installs. Senior & Military discount. 1-877-2529868
Eliminate gutter cleaning forever! LeafFilter, the most advanced debris-blocking gutter protection. Schedule a FREE LeafFilter estimate today. 20% off Entire Purchase. 10% Senior & Military Discounts. Call 1-855-424-7581
Jacuzzi Bath Remodel can install a new, custom bath or shower in as little as one day. For a limited time,
waving ALL installation costs! (Additional terms apply. Subject to change and vary by dealer. (Offer ends 12/29/24). Call 1-833-985-4766
Safe Step. North America’s #1 Walk-In Tub. Comprehensive lifetime warranty. Now featuring our FREE shower package and $1600 Off for a limited time! Call today! Financing available. Call Safe Step 1-888-989-5749
Don’t pay for covered Home Repairs Again! Our home warranty covers ALL Major Systems and Appliances. We stand by our service and if we can’t fix it, we’ll replace it! Pick the plan that fits your budget! Call 1-855411-1731
HEALTH/MEDICAL
DENTAL INSURANCE from Physicians Mutual Insurance Company. Coverage for 400 plus procedures. Real dental insurance - NOT just a discount plan. Do not wait! Call now! Get your FREE Dental Information Kit with all the details! 1-844-203-2677 www.dental50plus.com/ calnews #6258
LOANS
RETIRED COUPLE $$$$ for business
purpose Real Estate loans. Credit unimportant. V.I.P. Trust Deed Company www.viploan.com Call 1-818-248-0000. Broker-principal DRE 01041073.
SERVICES
WATER DAMAGE CLEANUP & RESTORATION: A small amount of water can lead to major damage. Our trusted professionals do complete repairs to protect your home’s value. Call 24/7 1-888-248-0815
MISCELLANEOUS
Want Residual Income? Turnkey Established Vending Massage Chair single location or Route for Sale! Asking Price: From $2,500 to $29,000 per location. text only: (949) 381-9899
DID YOU KNOW Newspaper-generated content is so valuable it’s taken and repeated, condensed, broadcast, tweeted, discussed, posted, copied, edited, and emailed countless times throughout the day by others? Discover the Power of Newspaper Advertising. For MORE INFORMATION call 916-288-6011 or email cecelia@cnpa.com
Crows will be scared if they go near City Park
By Nicole Becchina Staff Writer
The City of Brentwood is re-launching its Scarecrow in the Park program, which started in 2015. Participants are invited to register to create a scarecrow to be displayed at City Park in downtown Brentwood to celebrate fall and Halloween.
Amanda Chaney, Recreation Supervisor at Brentwood Parks and Recreation, said the program is a fun way to bring the community together.
“The goal of the program is to connect the community by having a fun way for businesses, residents and community groups to get creative and decorate City Park,” she said.
Chaney said they typically have 15-20 scarecrows.
Streets from page 1
of Brentwood, transforming it into a dynamic lifestyle center where visitors can shop, dine, and enjoy entertainment in a welcoming, clean, and vibrant atmosphere.”
The new property owners did not respond to requests for more details about the future of the shopping center and what changes they hope to see.
“
Scarecrows have taken over City Park to celebrate the Fall and Halloween season.
Photo by Andrew Rulloda
Participants were encouraged to be creative and come up with fun themes when making their scarecrows.
“We have had so many great scarecrows,” Chaney said. “Your imagination is the limit! In the past we have
had some themed scarecrows including Minions, Toy Story, cooking, baseball, and M&M’s.”
Chaney said the most exciting thing about the program is that participants have the freedom to create something fun or imaginative that they get to share with the community.
“Brentwood has a rich history tied to agriculture and the opportunity to encourage the community to be outside, be physically active, while celebrating the city’s history is the connection point for our residents,” Chaney said. “It’s fun to see all the different creative ideas from participants. Each year is a different experience.”
The scarecrows will be on display until Nov. 4.
“We encourage residents to come out and enjoy the weather and City amenities for the return of this great program.”
The Streets of Brentwood will continue to provide safe, healthy, and enjoyable experiences for the more than 400,000 residents of the Delta Region. ”
City Manager Tim Ogden
“CenterCal Properties is focused on creating thoughtful projects that will ensure a lasting benefit to the communities they serve,” the press release states. “Their primary goal is to design
Art from page 1
big the birds will be.
The birds that will be a part of the sculpture are a golden eagle, a great blue heron, a barn owl, and a longbilled curlew. The golden eagle, the great blue heron, and the long-billed curlew will be made of sheet metal and will feature glass eyes, amongst other materials, while the barn owl will have a tile clay body.
Edwards said after the presentation that this project in particular will be more difficult than the trifish sculpture that the program debuted last spring.
“There’s a lot more detail on this coming into it,” Edwards explained. “We’re doing a lot more metal work on this one, so I would say this one’s probably going to be a little tougher. There’s definitely more advanced techniques involved.”
According to PADA, and City of Brentwood recreation supervisor and staff liaison to the arts commission Lindsay Pinnell, the project is expected to cost $18,630, which will come from the Public Art Acquisition Fund. The project is projected to be completed in late spring, aiming for around May, according to Olsen.
“I’ve said it since the beginning, even before I came on the council, this is my favorite agenda item every single year,” councilwoman Jovita Mendoza said. “We didn’t have this when I was growing up. Kids didn’t get to do this, but it’s amazing.”
“I agree, this is way up there in one of our favorite things to do every year,” Vice Mayor Susannah Meyer said. “It just feels so good to see everything that you’ve
Power from page 1
der investigation as of Friday, Oct. 11, PG&E said.
PG&E spokesperson Tamar Sarkissian said three of the four outages were due to underground equipment failure and damaged cables.
During the outage, many customers went to social media to complain, and
gathering places that will strengthen the social fabric of the surrounding neighborhoods, ultimately creating
been able to do and that your former students have been able to do to just really enhance the art in the city.”
The city council unanimously approved the project. In other business:
• City approves use of pad-mounted transformers under certain circumstances
Council returned to the ongoing debate on allowing the use of pad-mounted transformers through 2025 in new developments that were initially presented to the council two weeks ago.
Several speakers voiced their concerns about the safety of the transformers. But council decided to do “a little more research” before they started writing conditions, with plans to talk to the city engineer on the issue. They eventually moved to adopt ordinance 1077, which approves the modification to the Brentwood Municipal Code Section 16.120.120. It “allows Permitees to install pad-mounted transformers within development projects in certain circumstances,” while also authorizing the city engineer to waive limited underground utility requirements.
• City employees continued to speak out regarding wages
The ongoing negotiations battle between the Brentwood city employees and the City Council for a new contract continued in the public comments portion of the meeting.
The frustration amongst the employees continues to build after the previous three-year agreement expired back on July 1. City employees are asking for competitive salaries and benefits that take into account the cur-
some had trouble getting home.
Residents of The Lakes gated community in Discovery Bay said they were unable to get through their community gates for about 20 minutes as the power outage interrupted repair work on the gates. The backed-up cars finally began driving in through the exit, which still functioned.
prosperity, happiness and a stronger sense of community. CenterCal honors the customer by providing the best experience possible, through design, fine restaurants and retailers, and amenities that enhance the surrounding neighborhoods.”
“CenterCal partners with the communities in which they locate, offering visitors many activities, entertainment and events in an atmosphere, which are inviting and fun for years to come.”
rent cost of living. One speaker, named Gary, spoke out about his experience working for the City of Brentwood for the last two years, then called out the council for passing the recent budget.
“Recently, after the council passed the budget with a 30 percent reserve and a surplus of $1.6 million, a new position was presented and approved within a matter of minutes,” he said. “It’s totally unfair to every department manager over the year’s who’s lobbying for new staff. We need to boost pay and get back on track.”
• Mendoza wants surplus land behind Pioneer Elementary to become a park
Mendoza requested that the council consider removing the land behind Pioneer Elementary School on Shady Willow Lane from the list of surplus land and, instead, turn it into a park.
The land at 2001 Shady Willow Lane is a one-acre parcel that the city swapped with ConFire that currently has a sign that advertises an incoming fire station. Mendoza wants the city take the one-acre parcel of land and turn it into a park. Those who participated in the public comment on this topic favored creating another park.
“We need to keep as much open space as possible,” Rod Flohr said. “This is something that benefits not just the community that is nearby the park, but the city as a whole. Studies have shown parks increase property values. If it’s not going to be a fire station, we should give it back to (the community) and we need to not be basically screwing over our communities.”
The full video of Tuesday night’s City Council meeting can be found here: https://bit.ly/3AlBfcJ
Discovery Bay Community Services District Director Carolyn Graham said so many outages in such a short amount of time is “concerning.” “The frustrating thing is we get nothing from PG&E except a text saying it’s an unplanned outage and will be back on soon,” she said. “We’d like to know what it is and what’s being done about this, and
are they trying to patch it or fix it. When you look at the infrastructure of Discovery Bay, especially original Discovery Bay, it’s old.”
Sarkissian said PGE is always working to improve reliability for its customers. “This includes taking steps to maintain and upgrade equipment, as needed,” she said.
Business Profile
