Will feature Sue Foley and her new album Pinky’s Blues, nominated for three 43rd BLUES MUSIC AWARDS (2022): Album of the Year, Traditional Blues Album and Traditional Blues Female Artist; co-headlining with Chris Cain who also has four nominations from the BMA awards. His album, Raisin’ Cain was just listed as the second most played album on Living Blues Radio Charts for 2021.
Before you get the wrong idea, Sue Foley’s new album, Pinky’s Blues, was not titled such due to her strawberry hair. Nor because of that fabulous pink leather jacket or those amazing boots. Nope. It’s her beloved pink paisley, Fender Telecaster electric guitar for which the new album is the namesake. Pinky has been with Sue for decades and continues to be an almost living extension of who Sue is, as evidenced by its strong contribution to the album as well as appearing live with Sue while on tour, guiding her through the rambunctiously deep renditions of everything Sue performs.
And the Blues part of the album title? It just might have something to do with Sue’s sizzlingly smooth voice and her chicly raw, resolute, bad-*ss style of playing, performing and songwriting. Well, check it out for yourself on the below link of one of the new songs on Pinky’s Blues:
SUE FOLEY is “Hurricane Girl” Official Music Video with live footage.
SUE FOLEY Live Interview about the new album, Pinky’s Blues on November 9, 2021.
“I’ve been on the road,” says Sue in trying to explain Pinky’s Blues. “I’ve made dozens of albums of my own. I’ve raised a child. I’ve bought and sold homes. I’ve had great successes and great failures. And all of this just makes my life richer and more colorful.”
And these are the blues Sue Foley brings to life while performing in her own way: compelling, sensual, seamlessly rich, tasty, yet with an undertone of saltiness and challenge.
“It’s a great trip and I never get tired of playing a slow blues. That’s the ultimate.” Today, in 2022, Sue Foley is surely one of the ultimate.
With Pinky right by her side.
Ya gotta come and check it out!
Doors/Show: 6:00pm/7:00pm
Tickets: $15.00 (youth) – $30.00 (Adults) plus fees
https://us.patronbase.com/_ElCampanilTheatre/Productions/R009/Performances
602 West 2nd Street in Antioch in historic, downtown Rivertown.
Read MoreClaim news reports “demonize the police and fan the flames of racial discord”
City states “use of force committee…found the use of force to be within policy and law under the circumstances”
By Allen D. Payton
The Brentwood Police Officers’ Association issued the following press release on February 24, 2022, in response to media reports of recently released police body cam footage of a Feb. 10, 2020, incident with a robbery suspect involving a police dog attacking her, and the lawsuit she filed. (See unedited police body cam video. Warning: graphic images)
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Local Bay Area media outlets KRON and KTVU began reporting on a civil lawsuit filed against one of our members, Officer Ryan Rezentes. National media outlets have also begun reporting on the story. As has become commonplace in recent years, those media outlets abdicated their responsibility to inform the public on the facts of an incident, and instead have chosen to demonize the police and fan the flames of racial discord. Contrary to what was reported by the media, this was not just “a shoplifting incident” and the use of a police K9 had nothing to do with the race of the suspects.
The lawsuit stems from a crime which was committed on February 10, 2020. The plaintiff, Talmika Bates, who was 24 years old at the time, along with two of her associates reportedly stole over $10,000 worth of merchandise from a store and then fled in a vehicle. As another Brentwood PD officer was responding to the reported crime, he observed the suspect vehicle at a nearby major intersection and it appeared the vehicle was attempting to cross the busy intersection against the red light. That officer positioned his police car in front of the suspect vehicle so that he could protect the other motorists and prevent any further flight. Instead of stopping, the suspect vehicle rammed the front end of the police car in order to escape, and then fled at high speeds. The suspects’ actions not only endangered the police officer who was rammed, but also endangered numerous other citizens on the roadway.
Bates and her associates continued fleeing in their vehicle until they collided with a curb and disabled their vehicle, at which time all of the suspects, including Bates, fled the vehicle on foot. Numerous officers, including Officer Rezentes with K9 Marco, along with a police helicopter, responded to the scene to assist with a search for the suspects. One of the areas being searched was a field with large swaths of nearly impenetrable shrubbery and trees. These types of areas are especially dangerous for police officers to search, due to the fact that potentially armed suspects can easily conceal themselves inside the overgrown vegetation, and officers may not see the suspect until they are right upon them. This is one of numerous scenarios where utilizing a police dog helps keep our officers safe.
After nearly an hour of searching, during which time even the helicopter was unable to find the suspects, Officer Rezentes ordered K9 Marco to search the large patch of overgrown vegetation and the dog located Bates inside. Police dogs are trained to bite the first part of the suspect’s body they come in contact with, which in Bates’ case was the top of her head. When it became apparent that K9 Marco had located one of the suspects concealed in the vegetation, Officer Rezentes and the other officers ordered Bates to come out. This is standard safe practice, because the officers were still unable to see Bates and they could not determine if she was armed. Once Bates was taken into custody, she was immediately provided with medical aid for her injuries.
The Brentwood Police Officers’ Association believes it is important that the public have this context regarding Officer Rezentes’ actions and the use of K9 Marco. All of the details we have provided here, and many more, were available within public records. It appears these media outlets chose to not seek out this information, and they attempt to defend their actions by stating they sought comment from the City of Brentwood and the Brentwood Police Department, knowing full well that neither of those entities are going to provide comment on an incident that has pending litigation. The media is well-versed in making public records requests, and know they could have obtained the court records from Bates’ criminal case. Since these specific media outlets did not do so, we can only conclude that is because they had no desire to provide the context which we have provided here, and that they would rather attempt to sow division between the police and the community.
The Brentwood Police Officers’ Association will not make any further comment regarding the specifics of this incident. We are grateful for the support of our community as our officers do their best to protect everyone’s safety.
Brentwood PD Press Release of Incident
On February 10, 2020 at 11:45 AM, officers were dispatched to Ulta Beauty Supply (in the Streets of Brentwood Shopping Center) to investigate a theft. Keilaysha Usher (24-year-old female, Oakland) Talmika Bates (24-year-old female, Hayward) and Ramiah Armstrong (22-year-old female, Richmond) left the store with about $10,000 worth of merchandise and fled in a Nissan Murano toward Lone Tree Way.
A responding Brentwood Police Officer located the vehicle at the intersection of Shady Willow Lane and Lone Tree Way and attempted a traffic enforcement stop. The driver of the Nissan collided with the patrol car and fled. The vehicle was located in a field at the north end of Slatten Ranch Road where the occupants fled on foot into a nearby neighborhood. A perimeter was set up by Brentwood, Antioch and Oakley Police units until all three females were located and taken into custody.
An additional subject, Adrian Benton Jr. (21-year-old male, Richmond) appeared in the area to pick up the females and help them flee the area. He was also taken into custody without incident.
All four subjects are being booked into Martinez Detention Facility.
This case is currently under investigation. Anyone with additional information is encouraged to call Brentwood PD dispatch at 925-809-7911.
Questions for Brentwood PD
The following questions were sent to the Brentwood PD on Tuesday morning, March 1.
“Are police dogs trained to attack and bite any parts of a suspect’s body including their head, face and torso, or just their arms and legs to get them to stop running and/or resisting arrest?
At what point is a K9 Officer supposed to call off and restrain the dog from further attack of a suspect, if they’re no longer running and seated, as Ms. Bates is seen in the video, as the dog continued to attack her?
Why didn’t the officer taze Ms. Bates to get her to comply and emerge from the bushes, and restrain the dog once she was no longer running and seated?”
Brentwood Statement in Response to Media Requests Regarding Bates Lawsuit
In response, the following statement was provided by Assistant City Manager Darin Gale.
“Due to ongoing civil litigation the City of Brentwood including the Brentwood Police Department will not comment on the specific details and personnel matters requested by the media concerning this incident.
We can share that this incident was reviewed by the Brentwood Police Department use of force committee which found the use of force to be within policy and law under the circumstances which involved a high-speed chase and a collision with a Brentwood police vehicle.”
A Public Records Act request has been made for “any and all documents, video, etc. regarding the police incident on Feb. 10, 2020, including K9 unit with suspect Talmika Bates and the other suspects mentioned in the press release, including the response to her lawsuit.”
Please check back later for their responses and any other updates.
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So that they will be valued, seen, heard, and served
By Rosalind Mays Welch, Richmond Community Foundation
Contra Costa, CA – RCF Connects, formerly known as Richmond Community Foundation, a local community foundation that is a motivator in Contra Costa County in the field of philanthropy and community change, announces the creation of the Equity for Black Women and Girls Task Force. The task force, led by RCF Connects’ Board Chair Dr. Cynthia LeBlanc, represents a collaboration of community leaders, will oversee an effort to create an awareness campaign to help inform the public of the inequities experienced by Black women and girls in our community and to ensure they gain access to the resources that can help them overcome and change current policies, practices and attitudes that are root causes of the inequities that we see today.
This effort is in answer to a recent survey of local funding organizations (described as foundations, private funders and corporate funders) which revealed that community-based funding commitments and programming in Contra Costa County for Black/African American people is less than 5% and discouragingly, less than 1% specifically for Black women and girls.
“As an organization dedicated to equity, that seeks systemic change that eliminates policies, practices and attitudes that are root causes of inequity, we cannot let this stand,” said RCF Connects’ Board Chair, Dr. Cynthia LeBlanc.
RCF Connects has a unique opportunity to center Black Women and Girls in Contra Costa County as a strategic priority in alignment with its advancement of equity as a value and goal. We understand that valuing and raising up Black Women and Girls in our community raises our entire community to a new level of health, wellness and success.
We would like to introduce to our community, the members of the Equity for Black Women and Girls Task Force who are dedicated to doing this vital and important work:
The focus of the Task Force is to release RCF Connects’ position paper entitled RCF Connects’ Equity for Black Women and Girls Initiative and ensure the successful implementation of its recommendations. The position paper highlights findings and recommendations from a comprehensive study funded by RCF Connects that included interviews and focus groups of Black women and girls across Contra Costa County. It also outlines solutions that correct the current void of services, supports, and resources specifically for Black women and girls in our community. Exec-Sum-Equity-for-BWG-Initiative-Report
In addition, the Task Force will also evaluate and pursue partnerships with key organizations willing to commit time, talent, and resources to support Black women and girls. Finally, the Task Force will provide expertise and insight to foundations and others willing to commit substantial funding to priorities that explicitly support Black women and girls, a valuable part of our community that is regrettably often overlooked and ignored.
In the near future, the committee will be seeking qualified candidates to head this new initiative with the core objective to fulfill The Equity for Black Women and Girls Initiative’s mission, vision, and approach.
If you would like more information about this project or seek to connect with our efforts, please contact Jim Becker, CEO, RCF Connects – jbecker@richmondcf.org.
About RCF Connects
Richmond Community Foundation, now known as RCF Connects, is a leading motivator in Contra Costa County in the field of philanthropy and community change. Our mission is to mobilize the power of connection to build healthy, thriving communities. Our focus is on impacting the five areas of community building: Restoring Neighborhoods, Health, Community Growth, Quality Education and Public Safety. We truly live, work and breathe our motto: “Together, we are shaping the future!”
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Still required on public transit
Joined by governors of Oregon, Washington to offer more updated health guidance for the three western states
SACRAMENTO – With declining case rates and hospitalizations across the West, California, Oregon and Washington are moving together to update their masking guidance. After 11:59 p.m. on March 11, California, Oregon and Washington will adopt new indoor mask policies and move from mask requirements to mask recommendations in schools.
State policies do not change federal requirements, which still include masks on public transit.
Statement from California Governor Gavin Newsom: “California continues to adjust our policies based on the latest data and science, applying what we’ve learned over the past two years to guide our response to the pandemic. Masks are an effective tool to minimize spread of the virus and future variants, especially when transmission rates are high. We cannot predict the future of the virus, but we are better prepared for it and will continue to take measures rooted in science to keep California moving forward.”
In California, starting March 1, masks will no longer be required for unvaccinated individuals, but will be strongly recommended for all individuals in most indoor settings. After March 11, in schools and childcare facilities, masks will not be required but will be strongly recommended. Masks will still be required for everyone in high transmission settings like public transit, emergency shelters, health care settings, correctional facilities, homeless shelters and long-term care facilities. As always, local jurisdictions may have additional requirements beyond the state guidance.
Newsom also presented his COVID SMARTER Plan introduced on Feb. 17, which stands for Shots, Masks, Awareness, Readiness, Testing, Education and Rx.
Statement from Oregon Governor Kate Brown: “Two years ago today, we identified Oregon’s first case of COVID-19. As has been made clear time and again over the last two years, COVID-19 does not stop at state borders or county lines. On the West Coast, our communities and economies are linked. Together, as we continue to recover from the Omicron surge, we will build resiliency and prepare for the next variant and the next pandemic. As we learn to live with this virus, we must remain vigilant to protect each other and prevent disruption to our schools, businesses, and communities––with a focus on protecting our most vulnerable and the people and communities that have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19.”
In Oregon, the Oregon Health Authority rules requiring masks in indoor public places and schools will be lifted after 11:59 p.m. on March 11. Other state and federal requirements, such as those for health care settings, public transit, and other specialized settings, will remain in place for a period of time.
Statement from Washington Governor Jay Inslee: “We’ve continued to monitor data from our state Department of Health, and have determined we are able to adjust the timing of our statewide mask requirement. While this represents another step forward for Washingtonians, we must still be mindful that many within our communities remain vulnerable. Many businesses and families will continue choosing to wear masks, because we’ve learned how effective they are at keeping one another safe. As we transition to this next phase, we will continue to move forward together carefully and cautiously.”
In Washington, indoor mask requirements will be lifted as of 11:59 p.m. on March 11. This new date does not change any other aspect of the updated mask requirements Inslee announced last week. Masks will still be required in certain settings including health care, corrections facilities and long-term care facilities. The Washington State Department of Health will be issuing new guidance for K-12 schools next week so schools can prepare to implement updated safety protocols.
Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.
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Screen Time Use Among U.S. Adolescents During the COVID-19 Pandemic Findings From the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study
By Antonia Ehlers, PR and Media Relations, Kaiser Permanente Northern California
In today’s world, it’s not uncommon for children to be connected to their phones and laptops. Some sneak devices on their laps under the dinner table, while others are slow to respond to real conversations when they’re texting their friends. It’s a whole new world, but increased screen time might be leading to more mental health issues, according to the “Screen Time Use Among U.S. Adolescents During the COVID-19 Pandemic Findings From the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study” published in the Journal of the American Medical Association-Pediatrics (JAMA-Pediatrics).
“During the COVID-19 pandemic, many children increased screen time use due to online school, stay-at-home orders and general social isolation,” said Richard Freed, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist at Kaiser Permanente Antioch Medical Center. “JAMA-Pediatrics recently reported that children nearly doubled their screen time use during the pandemic. Unfortunately, this increase is posing mental health risks for kids because it displaces the activities we know are helpful to children and adolescents, including quality time with family, physical activity, and engaging with their teachers and school communities.”
The cumulative effect of excessive screen time is leading to ongoing mental health issues for children.
“Children are experiencing anxiousness and stress in part because screen time has remained elevated even as pandemic restrictions are lifted,” Freed added. “It’s important for parents to understand how too much screen time can negatively impact children’s mental health, and there are ways parents can help reduce the amount of time their children spend on screens.”
Below are some tips for helping your child cut back on his or her screen time use:
- Help children and adolescents engage with the activities we know support their mental health, including time with family and physical activity, as that leaves less time for screens.
- Kids might need parent support and structure to get back into school routines, such as shutting down screens and completing homework.
- Cutting back on screen time use does not mean no screen time at all. Try setting some limits on children’s usage and work on a plan to limit the amount of time per day they are on their screens.
- Don’t allow children to have use of their screens before bedtime, which can disrupt sleep. Encourage them to read books or play quiet games instead.
- Model good behavior. Put your own screens away and show children the importance of finding other activities to occupy their time.
- Encourage children to play outdoors or take up a new hobby. Find ways to expand their in-person social interactions, such as joining a club or an after-school activity.
- Go on walks, have family game nights, start a family book club, or work on puzzles. Find other ways to keep your children occupied and engaged.
- Talk to your children about the importance of staying engaged with others and how screens prohibit them from developing the social skills they need to be successful.
- If your child continues to withdraw or seems anxious or stressed, talk about what might be happening and offer solutions to help.
- The American Academy of Pediatrics has a tool at healthychildren.org/MediaUsePlan to help you create a plan for screen time.
By Kelly Kalfsbeek, Community & Media Relations Coordinator, PIO, Contra Costa County Public Works Department
Contra Costa County Public Works will begin construction of the Crockett Area Guardrail Upgrades Project starting Monday, February 28, 2022 through late April 2022, barring unforeseen circumstances. Work will occur between 7:00 am and 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday, weather permitting. Work will take place in the Crockett Area, along the following roadways: San Pablo Avenue, Cummings Skyway, Pomona Street, Carquinez Scenic Drive and Crockett Boulevard. The project will install upgrades to existing guardrail systems. Electronic message boards will alert drivers of scheduled roadwork and lane closures. Restrictions will be in place to minimize impacts during commute hours. Drivers should expect delays.
Funding for this project is provided by Gas Tax (SB1) and Federal Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) Funds. More information for this project can be found at http://www.cccounty.us/pwdmap.
CONTACT: Construction Status, Carlos Melendez, 510.385.0506; Project Status, Jenna Caldwell, 925.313.2020
About Contra Costa County Public Works Department:
Contra Costa County Public Works Department (CCCPWD) maintains over 660 miles of roads, 150 miles of streams, channels and other drainage and over 150 County buildings throughout Contra Costa County. CCCPWD provides services such as Parks and Recreation, Sand Bag Distribution and Flood Control throughout unincorporated areas of Contra Costa County. To learn more about CCCPWD, please visit www.cccpublicworks.org
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“Palindrome days tend to be popular days for weddings at our office” – Acting Assistant Clerk-Recorder Wilson
By Dawn Kruger, Civic Outreach/Engagement Specialist, Contra Costa County Clerk-Recorder-Elections Department
The Contra Costa County Clerk’s Office is gearing up for a very special day on “Twosday,” with additional ceremonies available for the public on Tuesday, February 22, 2022. The Clerk-Recorder’s office has officiated weddings for couples on special palindrome dates in the past and traditionally, these days are very popular. A palindrome day has the same numbers in the date forward and backward.
22 ceremonies will be performed at the Contra Costa County Clerk’s office, located at 555 Escobar Street in Martinez between 8:00 am and 4:00 pm.
“Palindrome days tend to be popular days for weddings at our office, and our staff is getting into the spirit this year with a very special “Twosday” coming up,” Acting Assistant Clerk-Recorder Laura Wilson said. “Sticking with the theme, we opened up additional appointments for county residents so we can officiate 22 appointments and they filled up almost immediately!”
Palindrome days don’t come around very often – this one only happens once each century – and when they do, the County Clerk’s Office sees an increase in wedding ceremony appointments. The office is officiating almost double the number of ceremonies usually offered in order to accommodate interest.
As with all ceremony appointments currently being offered onsite, the Clerk-Recorder’s Office takes precautions to keep constituents and staff safe. COVID-19 protocols will be in place. Up to 5 guests may join the couple in the ceremony room.
All appointments for the “Twosday” ceremonies have been filled, and the County Clerk’s Office does not accept walk-in appointments at this time.
A marriage license must be obtained before a ceremony can be performed. Couples may purchase a license the same day as their ceremony appointment at the County Clerk’s office in Martinez. The fee for a public marriage license is $86, while a confidential license is $90. The civil marriage ceremony fee is $60.
For information about marriage license and ceremony services, go to https://www.ccclerkrec.us/ or call the office at 925-335-7900.
Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.
Read MoreBy Concord Police Department
On Monday, Feb. 14, 2022, at approximately 8:04 AM, a truck driver stopped at a red traffic signal. A Chevrolet Tahoe which was towing another vehicle pulled up beside the truck driver’s vehicle and the driver began yelling obscenities at the truck driver for stopping at the traffic signal. The driver of the Tahoe then produced a black semi-automatic handgun and yelled at the truck driver that people “get shot for driving like that” while waving the gun around in the air.
The truck driver was able to provide a description of the suspect vehicle which was located in the parking lot of nearby shopping center. As officers began arriving at that location, the suspect vehicle drove away from the parking lot and an attempt was made at conducting an enforcement stop. The driver of the suspect vehicle did not yield to police emergency equipment and continued driving onto Oak Grove Road. before eventually pulling over to the side of the roadway.
The suspect driver was detained, and a black handgun was located behind the rear seat of the vehicle. An additional .38 caliber revolver was located in the bed of the Chevrolet Tahoe. The suspect is a convicted felon and was positively identified by the victim. He was arrested, booked and later transported to the Martinez Detention Facility.
Read MoreBy Brentwood Police Department
During the week of Feb. 6, 2022, while on patrol, an officer observed a vehicle driving without a rear window and expired registration. He conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle on Sand Creek Road near Highway 4, and found that the driver, Jose Garcia (Stockton) did not have a driver license. Three additional passengers in the car were without proper identification.
Garcia and two of the other passengers identified as; Alicia Saldana (Stockton) and Jasmine Fuentes (Stockton) were all found to be on active probation. The fourth occupant, Jesus Quintero-Zavala (Stockton) lied to police about his identity and was under the influence of drugs.
A search of the vehicle revealed a stun gun, burglary tools, several grams of methamphetamine and stolen property from a business in another city.
Garcia, Saldana, Fuentes, and Quintero-Zavala, were placed under arrest for several charges and transported to the Martinez Detention Facility. Garcia’s vehicle was also towed from the scene.
Read MoreWalnut Creek PD assisted by San Pablo, Oakley and Antioch PD’s
By San Pablo Police Department
Thursday night, Feb. 17, 2022, SPPD assisted Walnut Creek PD in a vehicle task force assignment formed to suppress crime in participating agencies in the Contra Costa County. Officer Howes and Officer Agredano performed a proactive traffic stop on a suspicious car and through the course of their investigation they found a loaded firearm inside of the car along other gun parts to make more unserialized firearms aka Ghost guns.
The driver was arrested and taken to jail. SPPD would like to give a shout out to Oakley Police Departments and Antioch PD for their assistance.
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