Contra Costa Marketplace - Nov 2025 by hudsonprinting

Marketplace Contra Coﬆa

NOVEMBER 2025

2025 Editorial Calendar

Hello Neighbors

November always brings a spirit of gratitude. Thank you to our readers for supporting local businesses, and to the business owners who keep our community strong. A special thanks to our veterans and military families for their service and sacrifice.

As holiday lists grow and Small Business Saturday approaches on November 29, I encourage you to use this issue to shop local. Every purchase helps real people—your neighbors—thrive. Consider joining a local food drive, too. Small acts of kindness truly add up.

This month, we welcome new sponsors: Friends of the Hercules Senior Center, a valued member of our community, as well as us here at Marketplace! They will be hosting a Breakfast with Santa for ALL ages (see info to the right) on December 13th this year. This month we’re delighted to also welcome a lively

local chapter of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, Bayview #2323, located in El Cerrito. In addition to supporting local charities, the group offers a lovely hall for rent and some monthly open-to-the-public events, including monthly, robust pancake breakfasts! See inside to learn more.

As the season gets busier, take a moment to pause, breathe, and enjoy the beauty around us. Wishing you warmth, good health, and a November full of gratitude.

From your friends at

Susie | Jacqueline

by Karen F. Walker

Last month we asked for your favorite Fall comfort soup or treat.

BUTTERNUT SQUASH, TOASTED SOURDOUGH ... AND

PUMPKIN SPICE!

submitted by Jessica Arreguin, Pinole

My go-to comfort soup is butternut squash with toasted sourdough bread, and my go-to fall treat is anything pumpkin spiced flavored!

For the Butternut Squash, I just roast the butternut squash with onions and garlic olive oil. After it’s roasted, I purée everything with vegetable broth. Add a tiny bit of maple syrup if you like it sweeter.

NEXT QUESTION (Deadline: November 10, 2025)

Q. WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE COOKIE OR DESSERT RECIPE?

Send your response by November 10, 2025 — including your name (as you’d like to see it in print) and city — to: sales@ccmarketplacemag.com for a chance for your recipe to appear in our December issue OR win an Amazon Gift Card!

EASY BLACK BEAN SOUP

submitted by Mandy Mok, Hercules

This recipe works for any type of beans, broth and sauce. It is simple and fast; for people who do not want to spend too much time prepping a meal and want something nutritious.

• 1/2 cup of black beans from a can

• 3/4 cup of vegetable broth

• 2 tablespoons of tomato basil sauce

• pinch of salt

• pinch of pepper

Drain, rinse and mash black beans. Mix beans, broth and sauce in a microwave-safe container. Cover mixture with a microwave-safe lid. Microwave for 2-3 minutes on medium power, stirring every 30-60 seconds until it’s hot all the way through. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Top 1.5% Agent Nationwide

No.1 Solo Agent in Contra Costa County and Alameda County 540 24th St, Richmond

SARA AND HER TEAM ARE ALWAYS 100% ON MY SIDE

“Over the past few years, with the help of Sara and her team, I successfully sold my properties. Sara and her whole team are highly professional, outstanding, and extremely efficient, always standing 100% on my side to solve every issue that came up during the transactions. I am truly happy to have my apartments find new owners. I wish them continued success in helping even more people!”

— JINGJING Z. (HAPPY SELLER)

stjosephpinole.org/admissions

www.stjosephpinole.org (510) 724-0242

Francisca Emefiene Pinkney talks about “her kids” with as much love and passion as any good mother. She’s not alone. The entire team behind the One Million Champions campaign echo that passion and caring—from healthcare workers, to teachers, guidance and mental health counselors, trade instructors, accountants,

HOW A GRANDMOTHER IN NIGERIA PLANTED THE SEED

Born and raised in Nigeria, Francisca became a Registered Nurse. At one point in her nursing career, her patients included an American man who had become quite ill while in Africa. Their friendship developed and eventually, after he returned to America and realized how much he missed her company, he asked for Francisca’s hand in marriage. As she was preparing to leave her homeland, Francisca’s grandmother, the strong and loving matriarch of her large family, planted the seed of Francisca’s future mission with some life-changing advice.

A Vision as Big as Her Heart: CHAMPIONS

ONE MILLION

by Karen F. Walker

housing coordinators and more. Their work—helping Bay Area homeless and underserved children to thrive and grow up to live healthy, balanced lives, even amid their unique challenges and the challenges of those around them—pays it forward in developing confident, productive future adults who are aware of the need to do their part to give back to others.

The alternative for these youth can be pretty ugly, including a strong likelihood of downward spiraling, emotional unbalance, drug and alcohol abuse, homelessness and hopelessness; that is, if it weren’t for people like Francisca and her teammates.

Instead, through a long established program, Bay Area youth with whom Francisca and her teammates work develop a sense of belonging, hope and purpose. And THAT changes everything for these youth!

“You have been blessed to receive this invitation to marriage and new opportunities,” her grandmother told her. “You must give back, and I encourage you to dedicate your life to helping children who need it most.”

Francisca, a beautiful and kind person with a giving spirit, took the advice to heart and founded the Divine Mercy Foundation, a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit that serves youth-in-need in Nigeria and America. The term ‘mercy’ has a purposeful double-meaning for Francisca, both as the name of her sister and also in its literal meaning, which is “heart moved by another’s misery.”

ONE DOOR CLOSES

In addition to her nonprofit efforts, Francisca works as an RN with a government-funded entity located on Treasure Island that helps Bay Area youth, about half of whom would otherwise be homeless. Recently, that organization’s funding was severely cut. Many workers left or were forced to quit. Out of more than 400 children served, slightly more than 200 had literally nowhere else to go and workers decided to stay open at reduced pay in order to serve these 200 youth.

Here’s the point at which Francisca’s beautiful heart and purpose took over.

A BIGGER, BETTER OPPORTUNITY OPENS

While most were focused on complaining and lamenting the government cuts, Francisca recognized a bigger, better opportunity: An opportunity for true stability that they never would have explored if not for the financial challenge they now faced.

WHAT IS THE ONE MILLION CHAMPIONS CAMPAIGN?

“Why not have our own place,” Francisca mused. “Let’s build a permanent home so we are no longer dependent on government funds.”

YES! All agreed. And so was born the One Million Champions campaign to enable seriously underserved and homeless Bay Area youth continue to benefit from the proven successful, life-transforming resources once funded by fickle government funds.

Francisca and a few teammates researched how much money would be needed to run their successful program full bore. They factored in the added practical expenses of managing donated property (or purchasing local property) large enough to serve 400 youth, about half of whom will need to stay there full time to avoid homelessness, to pay for staff for seven much-needed departments—including counseling, health services, housing and facility managers, trade and culinary arts instructors, and more.

THE FINAL FIGURE WAS A DAUNTING $100,000,000

While others rolled their eyes. Francisca took the figure in stride, calculating how many people are in the Bay Area, many of whom have connections beyond our local area who may want to be part of something bigger than themselves and help change the trajectory of a young person’s life for the better.

“If one million people each donated $100,” Francisca reasoned, “then we would have $100,000,000! And perhaps someone knows someone who may want to donate all or some of the property they own locally.”

“These one million donors,” added Francisca, “would become champions of our under-served Bay Area youth!”

Will you join their efforts during this November month of gratitude?

To give and learn more: https://www.divinemercyfamily.org/champion

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY BUSINESS DIRECTORY

D ON ’S REA L ES TATE UPDATE

DO HOM E IMP ROVEM EN TS REALLY PAY O FF?

WHAT PROP 19 M EANS TO A 55 + HOMEO WNE R

LOO KI NG T O

MOVE

Many homeowners are unsure whether improving their home is worth the investment. In the East Bay, the improvements that will deliver the highest return on investment (ROI) include:

Also known as the “Home Protection for Seniors, Severely

· LANDSCAPING: Believe it or not, landscaping upgrades tend to deliver the highest ROI. Drought-friendly landscaping is extremely attractive to buyers.

Disasters Act” means certain homeowners who are looking to move within the state can take their current tax assessment with them. This is great news for those impacted by the much higher property taxes that typically come with purchasing a new home.

· MINOR BATHROOM AND KITCHEN UPGRADES: A few minor improvements, new appliances and careful when approaching a major kitchen remodel though, unless you plan to live in the home and enjoy it.

can be confusing to homeowners, so I’ve highlighted the key points below:

Homeowners 55+ can move and transfer their current property tax assessment to a new primary home anywhere in California. This may be done up to three times

· WINDOWS: consider replacing them.

PENDING

· Homeowners are no longer limited to purchasing a new primary home that costs the same or less than the one they sell. The new property can cost up to $1M more than

ATTIC & BASEMENT REMODELS: Adding permitted

$1M the transferred tax basis will be prorated

bedroom or family room - will almost always be worth the investment.

· Prop 19 also changes the way property is inherited; property taxes for inherited property. their primary residence in order to get the tax break.

Sound confusing? I’m happy to walk you through it.

EXTERIOR: Many exterior upgrades will improve the appeal of your home without breaking the bank. Consider painting or a fresh coat on trim and doors. Garage door upgrades tend their cost, and if your roof needs replaci Wa nt to l ea rn m ore? Ca

Wa nt to l ea rn m ore? Ca ll me!

Adamson: 510.260.5499

Don Adamson: 510.260.5499 don@donaldadamson.com

REALTOR® · #1886430 · donaldadamson.com

Informatio n deemed re liable bu t c ann ot be guarantee d.