The Monthly Grapevine January 2025

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Monthly Grapevine™

420 Beatrice Ct., Ste G1

Brentwood, CA 94513

O ice: 925.634.0880

Text: 925.628.2256 info@MonthlyGrapevine.com

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Calendar of Events

Ongoing Events

AFTER SCHOOL ACADEMY

Tuesdays-Thursdays, 1:30-6:30pm, Village Community Resource Center, 633 Village Drive, Brentwood or Byron Community Library Club, 3926 Main St., Byron. Literacy and homework support for K-5th Grade. Info 925-626-7892 or jose@vcrcbrentwoodca.org.

AL-ANON MEETING

Friday, 8pm, Brentwood United Methodist Church, 809 2nd Street, Brentwood. Support Group for families and friends of Alcoholics. No need to register, info call Trisha 510 910-1389

AL-ANON MEETING

Monday, 12:15pm, Delta Community Presbyterian Church, 1900 Willow Lake Rd., Discovery Bay. Support Group for families and friends of Alcoholics. No need to register, info call Charlie (925) 858-5382.

AL-ANON MEETING

Wednesday, 12:00pm, Contra Costa Fellowship Hall, 8385 Brentwood Blvd. ST B., Brentwood. Support Group for families and friends of Alcoholics. No need to register, info call Trudy (626) 576-8146.

AMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARY

1st Tuesday, 5pm, Legion Hall, Basement, 757 First St., Brentwood. Info Dolly 925-890-7357.

AMERICAN LEGION POST 202 MEETING

2nd Wednesday, 6:30pm, Veterans Hall, 757 First St., Brentwood. Info AML202.org or 925-516-2141.

ANCIENT SCRIPTURES AND LANGUAGES OF THE BIBLE Wednesdays, 7-9pm, Brentwood. Info 209-642-0278.

ANIMAL RESCUE RECON DOG ADOPTIONS

Saturdays, 10am-1pm, Pet Food Express, 5829 Lone Tree Way, Antioch. Info 925-392-7654 or animalrescuerecon.com.

BRENTWOOD ALZHEIMER’S CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP

2nd Thursday, 7-8:30pm, Brentwood. Please call 800.272.3900 to register for the meeting.

BRENTWOOD LIONS CLUB

1st Wednesday, 6:30pm, BW Community Center., 35 Oak St., Brentwood. Call for more info 925-587-3783. www.lcobw.com

MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS SELF HELP GROUP

2nd Wednesday, 1pm. Sponsored by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Info Julie 925-437-5681.

BYRON DELTA LIONS CLUB

1st Friday, 10am, St. Anne’s Catholic Church, 2800 Camino Diablo Rd., Byron. Info Kathy 925-980-6696.

CANCER SUPPORT COMMUNITY

Tuesdays, 1-3pm, 3505 Lone Tree Way., Suite 3, Antioch.

DASH ADOPTIONS

Fridays, 5-8pm at Petsmart, 5879 Lone Tree Way, Antioch. 1st & 3rd Sunday, 12-3pm, Petco, 5481 Lone Tree Way, Brentwood. Info 925-219-0151 or deltaanimalssafehaven.org.

DELTA SHADOW BOXERS PARKINSON’S SUPPORT GROUP

1st Wednesday, 2-5pm. Merrill Gardens., 2600 Balfour Rd., Brentwood. Info Sue 925-550-2756

DISCOVERY BAY CORVETTE CLUB

1st Thursday, 7:30pm. Discovery Bay Yacht Club, Bilge Room Info Tim Denham 408-210-3814.

DISCOVERY BAY LIONS CLUB

1st Tuesday, 6:30pm, Discovery Bay Yacht Club. Info Rita Caruso 925-640-5746, www.discoverybaylions.com.

DISCOVERY BAY PICKLEBALL CLUB FREE TRAINING

First Saturday of the month, 11am, (weather permitting) Discovery Bay Community Center 1601 Discovery Bay Blvd, Discovery Bay.

DELTA GROUP SIERRA CLUB

2nd Friday, 5pm, Oakley Tavern, 3685 Main St., Oakley. Covers Antioch, Pittsburgh, Bay Point, Oakley, Brentwood, Bethel Island, Discovery Bay, and unincorporated areas of ECCC. Info Joeandlu@comcast.net.

DELTA QUILTERS GUILD

For information about meetings/events, go to deltaquilters.org.

DELTA WOMEN’S SOCIAL CLUB

2nd Thursday, 11:30am. Info Gloria 925-513-8731.

DIG - DELTA INFORMAL GARDNERS

4th Monday, 7:30pm, Brentwood Methodist Church, 809 Second St., Brentwood. Info Bob 925-642-0080 or deltainformalgardners.org.

DOFBWOW (Daughter’s of Faith Becoming Women of Wisdom) 2nd & 4th Thursday, 6:45pm, via Zoom. Contact True Free Love Ministry via email truefreeloveministries@gmail.com.

GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP

Thursday, 5pm, Immaculate Heart of Mary Library, 500 Fairview Avenue, Brentwood. Info Mary Ann Smith 925-240-1706 or Linda Quilici 925-308-7799.

HELPING ONE WOMAN

3rd Tuesday’s, 6-8pm, Brentwood Community Center 35 Oak St., Brentwood. Email: howdiscoverybay@gmail.com

HALO ADOPTIONS

Saturdays & Sundays, 12-3pm (cats), Petsmart , 5879 Lone Tree Way, Antioch. Saturdays and 4th Sunday (dogs), 12-3pm, Petco, 5481 Lone Tree Way, Brentwood. Saturdays and Sundays (cats), 2nd Sunday (dogs) 12-3pm, Pet Food Express, 5829 Lone Tree Way, Antioch.

HOSPICE OF THE EAST BAY

Informational Session and Training. Info 925-887-5678 or volunteers@hospiceeastbay.org.

HOW OVER-EATERS ANONYMOUS MEETING

Thursdays, 10-11am, Brentwood Professional Plaza, Fellowship Hall, 8385 Brentwood Blvd., Suite B, Brentwood. AA Big Book Discussion. Info Peggy 925-200-2281

MINISTRY OF CARING

Thursdays, 5-6:15pm, IHM Church Library, 500 Fairview Ave., Brentwood. Monthly potluck and happy hour (emphasis on fellowship). Info Mary Ann Smith 925-240-1706 or Linda Quilici 925-428-2364 or Connie Conover 925-392-8037

Ongoing Events - Cont’

MOMS IN PRAYER

Moms in Prayer is an international organization that equips women to pray for kids and schools at weekly prayer meetings. Find a local group: Crystal - momsinprayer58@gmail.com or momsinprayer.org.

MOBILE HOME OWNERS ADVOCACY GROUP

1st Saturday, 1-2:30pm, Oakley. Teach mobile home owners their legal rights and how to defend themselves. Mobile home owners in Oakley, Bethel Island, Knightsen, Byron, Brentwood, Antioch and Pittsburg welcome. Info/register 925-625-6251.

OAKLEY SENIORS INDOOR FAIR & FLEA MARKET

1st Saturday, 9-3pm, Oakley Senior Center, 215 2nd Street, Oakley. Arts & Crafts, New & used items, collectibles and antiques. Vendors Contact OSC President Allan Perry 925-626-7223.

PET LOSS SUPPORT GROUP

2nd Tuesday, 5:30-7pm, Tony LaRussa’s Pet Foundation, 2890 Mitchell Drive, Walnut Creek. Info 925-887-5678 or hospiceeastbay.org.

P.E.O. CHAPTER XQ OF BRENTWOOD

3rd Thursday, 6:45pm, Women’s philanthropy group supporting women’s education. More info contact President Cassidy Nelson at cassidynelson713@gmail.com.

POLKA DOT POWERHOUSE

2nd Tuesday, 6:45pm, Changing The World By Connecting The Dots. More info contact Gloria Guzman 415-760-8202.

SEAMS TO HELP

1st Sat & Tues, Volunteers use sewing and other skills to create needed items for our community and beyond. Volunteering information www.seamstohelp.org.

SUTTER DELTA FREE DIABETES CLASS Wednesdays, 2-4pm & 4-6pm. Info 925-779-3605.

TYPE 1 DIABETIC PUMP GROUP

2nd Thursday, 4-5:30pm, Kaiser Sand Creek Hospital, Rooms 1A & 1B, Antioch. Info Cheryl 925-516-7725.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

After School Academy to work with students on their reading/ literacy and homework. Our students are K-5th grade. Two locations in Brentwood and in Byron. Info Village Community Resource Center 925-626-7892 or vcrcbrentwoodca.org.

VFW AUXILLARY POST 10789

2nd Tuesday, 8:00pm. 757 1st Street, Brentwood. For more info contact Bill Weber Commander 925 584-1452.

WI CHA KA COUNCIL

1st and 3rd Thursday, 7:30pm, Red Men Pocahontas Hall, 1403 Main St., Oakley. Info 925-759-2998.

Business Meetings

AKTION CLUB OF EAST CONTRA COSTA

2nd Tuesday, 5:30-7pm, Mountain Mike’s Pizza, 1185 2nd Street, Station M, Brentwood. Adults with Special Needs sponsored by Kiwanis Int’l. Info 925-890-2563.

BETHEL ISLAND LIONS CLUB

1st and 3rd Wednesday, 7pm, Scout Hall, 3090 Ranch Ln., Bethel Island. Info Dave 925-595-1451.

BRENTWOOD CHAMBER MIXER

3rd Thursday, 5:30-7:30pm. Info 925-634-3344.

BRENTWOOD ROTARY CLUB

Mondays, 12-1:30pm, Wedgewood Banquet Center, 100 Summerset Dr., Brentwood. Info 888-556-0083.

BNI REFERRAL FACTORY

Thursdays, 11:30am-1pm, Brentwood Community Center, 35 Oak St., Brentwood. Info Liz 925-206-9314 or liz.litaea@lhfs.com.

BNI - GIVING TO GAIN

Tuesdays, 7am, Via Zoom. Info Maria 925-323-6313.

BUSINESS ON THE BAY

2nd Thursday, 3:00pm. Discovery Bay. Info Elizabeth 925-351-4444.

CREATIVE COMMUNICATORS TOASTMASTERS MEETING Tuesdays, 7:10-8:15pm, Kaiser Hospital, 4501 Sand Creek Rd., Conference Room IC, Antioch. Info Joe Amaro 510 812-2282 or ccclub.toastmastersclub.org.

DELTA NETWORKING PARTNERS

Tuesdays, 8:30-9:45am, Brentwood Craft Beer and Cider, 234 Oak Street, Brentwood, Gabriela Manciulea, 408 750 7436 or email dnp.brentwood@gmail.com.

DELTA TOASTMASTERS MEETING

Tuesdays, 7:10-8:10am, MiMi’s Café, 5705 Lone Tree Way, Antioch. Info Greg Hullen, President 707-373-6890.

DISCOVERY BAY CHAMBER MIXER

4th Tuesday, 5:30pm. Info Cindy 925-513-4175.

DISCOVERY BAY LIONS CLUB

1st Tuesday, 6:30pm. Discovery Bay Yacht Club, 5781 Marina Blvd., Discovery Bay. Info 925-240-3486.

KIWANIS CLUB OF BRENTWOOD

Thursdays, 12:30pm, Jalisco’s, 8335 Brentwood Blvd. #B, Brentwood. Info brentwoodkiwanis.portalbuzz.com.

POLKA DOT POWERHOUSE

2nd Tuesday, 11:30am, Zephyr Bar & Grill, 613 1st St., Brentwood. Info Gloria Guzman guzmang2020@gmail.com.

SONS IN RETIREMENT-DISCOVERY BAY BRANCH

2nd Tuesday, 11:30am, Discovery Bay Country Club, Discovery Bay. Info Luis Figueroa 949-400-4715.

SOROPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL OF THE DELTA 1st Tuesday, 6pm, Brentwood Community Center, 35 Oak Street, Conf Room B Brentwood. Info Sue Pretzer 760-583-3058.

SOROPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL OF ANTIOCH

1st & 3rd Wednesday, 6pm, Lone Tree Golf & Event Center,, 4800 Golf Course Rd. Antioch. Info Mary Ann Redden 925-586-3161

The 2024 Bay Area Housing Market

Summed Up

The 2024 Bay Area housing market summed up in a word was uncertainty. Home prices did overall grow moderately. Homes typically stayed on the market a bit longer.

While we still saw multiple offers on desirable homes, the homes that were as a rule upgraded and staged, the bidding wars of past years were few and far between. Throughout the year we saw more houses coming on the market, keeping inventory stronger than previous years. Overall Buyers however did not appear to be in a hurry to make a purchase, a byproduct of more and generally steady inventory. More inventory translates to more options and decreasing urgency for Buyer to make a purchase. Buyer also were on the fence waiting for interest rates to come down, no one wants to pay full price if it goes on sale tomorrow.

Overall in the Bay Area, home prices remained historically high and while inventory was up compared to previous years it remained tight overall. This I believe was driven by strength of our local economy and to some degree fed by Silicon Valley investors and Buyers. The California economy in the top ten as compared to other countries combined with our mostly stable weather is of course a factor as well. The Bay Area’s job market continued to be strong despite some layoffs and new home construction was significantly less than in past years. These facts combined with other factors helped protect home values in general.

The ambiguity over the future was a driving factor to slower sales. The uncertainty over rates and the future of the economy kept the market stable. We definitely saw a cool down leading the election as the uncertainty of the outcome caused Buyers to wait it out. Existing homeowners were affected by the uncertainty as well and chose to stay in their current homes longer to see if rates would drop even further. If mortgage rates drop it could motivate more owners to sell their existing homes so they could make a move they may have been putting off., This would help add much needed inventory to the market and while it may not be enough to tip the scales it definitely would keep things

moving along.

With the election over, life marches on. There is still hope that mortgage interests rates will fall. Note that home interest rates and not always linked to the prime rate. Often when the prime rate drops mortgage interest will increase as we saw recently. Traditionally the market slows during December and January, however we are currently experiencing a renewed sense of activity. Although the focus on interest rates is still a primary concern, Buyer confidence seems to be strong.

I personally feel reasonably optimistic about 2025. I think we will see a focus on productive issues and a strengthening of the Economy and the Country as a whole.

Whether you’re thinking about buying or selling, this more stable market means buyers can take their time finding the right home, while sellers can still rely on California and the SF bay Area’s strong appeal to attract Buyers. There as always many factors that drive the real estate market but I believe 2025 will be a good and prosperous year.

Patrick McCarran is a local Realtor and Broker. Call/text 925-899-5536 • pmccarran@yahoo.com • CallPatrick.com Independently owned and operated. Equal Housing Opportunity. In association with Realty One Group Elite DRE#0193160.

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