Contra Costa Herald

News Of By and For The People of Contra Costa County, California

Oakley woman arrested on 21 counts of illicit behavior with juveniles

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Victims were ages 13 to 16; bail set at $1,160,000

Jennifer Decarlo. Photo: OPD

By Oakley Police Department

In March 2022, the Oakley Police Department received a report involving lewd and lascivious acts between an adult female and a juvenile male victim. The suspect was identified as Jennifer Decarlo, a 34-year-old female and Oakley resident.

Oakley Police detectives immediately began investigating the allegations. Several interviews and search warrants were conducted, in addition to several items of evidence being collected and analyzed. The ongoing investigation revealed multiple lewd acts with the original victim and additional male victims, between the ages of 13 and 16 years old. The alleged criminal acts occurred between January 2022 to March 2022. Decarlo is believed to have met each victim through family, friends, or acquaintances.

On May 11, 2022 Oakley Police Detectives arrested Decarlo at her residence and she was booked into the Martinez Detention Facility. The Oakley Police Department presented the case to the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office and 21 felony charges were filed. See list of charges below. Decarlo remains in custody on bail of $1,160,000.

Based on the facts gathered in this case, the Oakley Police Department believes there may be additional victims of Decarlo. Any additional victims are urged to contact Detective Minister at 925-625-8822 or Dispatch at 925-625-8060.

List of charges:

Count 1) PC288(a) – Lewd act with a child under 14

Count 2) PC288(a) – Lewd act with a child under 14

Count 3) PC288(a) – Lewd act with a child under 14

Count 4) PC261.5(d) – Unlawful intercourse with minor under 16

Count 5) PC287(b)(2) – Oral copulation with minor under 16

Count 6) PC288(c)(1) -Lewd act with a child 14 or 15; 10< year age difference

Count 7) PC288(c)(1) -Lewd act with a child 14 or 15; 10< year age difference

Count 8) PC288(c)(1) -Lewd act with a child 14 or 15; 10< year age difference

Count 9) PC288(c)(1) -Lewd act with a child 14 or 15; 10< year age difference

Count 10) PC288.2(a) – Sending harmful matter with intent to seduce minor

Count 11) PC288.3(a) – Communicating with minor for purpose of lewd act

Count 12) PC288.4(b) – Arranging to meet minor for purpose of lewd act

Count 13) PC261.5(c) – Unlawful intercourse with minor

Count 14) PC287(b)(1) – Oral copulation with minor

Count 15) PC288.3(a) – Communicating with minor for purpose of lewd act

Count 16) PC288.4(b) – Arranging to meet minor for purpose of lewd act

Count 17) PC288(c)(1) -Lewd act w/ a child 14 or 15; 10< year age difference

Count 18) PC287(b)(2) – Oral copulation with minor under 16

Count 19) PC261.5(d) – Unlawful intercourse with minor under 16

Count 20) PC288.3(a) – Communicating with minor for purpose of lewd act

Count 21) PC288.4(b) – Arranging to meet minor for purpose of lewd act

Pittsburg Police Chief Addington retires, leaves legacy of change for the better

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Recently retired Pittsburg Police Chief Brian Addington. Photo: PPD

By Pittsburg Police Department

In 1994, Officer Brian Addington made, what we think, was the best decision of his career. He joined the Pittsburg Police Department after having served for a year and a half with the Suisun City Police Department. That decision left a lasting mark on our department and our Pittsburg community as he rose through the ranks to become our Police Chief serving in that role for the last decade.

Chief Addington started as an officer in patrol on the Strategic Enforcement Team (SET) where he served for several years focused on reducing street-level crimes. From there, he became an undercover detective in the Narcotics Unit. In 1998, he was promoted to Sergeant where he trained and mentored officers in a wide variety of assignments. Chief Addington’s rise through the ranks included a promotion to Lieutenant in 2004 and then Captain in 2010.

He served as our Public Information Officer as well as duties in patrol, training, narcotics, criminal and administrative investigations and so much more.

As Police Chief, he focused on transparency and breaking down barriers between police and the community we’re sworn to serve. His modern approach to law enforcement strategies resulted in both a 10% decrease in crime and more than a 100% increase in diversity among the ranks of the Pittsburg Police Department. These are achievements that will last for decades to come.

Chief Addington brought respect and a broader footprint for the Pittsburg Police Department through his service and leadership in many roles including membership with the FBI National Academy Associates, California Police Chiefs Association, and the International Association of Police Chiefs.

Congratulations on your retirement, Chief Brian Addington. You will be missed, and the City of Pittsburg will benefit for years to come from your leadership.

See a brief video of his farewell posted on the Pittsburg PD’s Facebook page.

 

Contra Costa DA dismisses 40 cases due to Pittsburg, Antioch officers’ crimes of moral turpitude

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Won’t be prosecuted because the cases are “compromised to the point they can’t be salvaged” – Ted Asregadoo, CCDA PIO

By Allen D. Payton

The Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office has dismissed 40 cases from prosecution as part of the investigation into crimes of moral turpitude by Pittsburg and Antioch Police Officers announced in March. As previously reported, several officers were placed on paid administrative leave due to the accusations against them. (See related articles here, here and here)

Asked for details about the 40 cases, CCDA Public Information Officer Ted Asregadoo said he could not provide it as “it’s still an active investigation of the Pittsburg and Antioch officers.”

Out of a group of the cases, there are 40 cases that can go forward in the investigative process. Approximately 40 of those cases were dismissed,” he continued.

Asked how cases were from which agency Asregadoo responded, “I can’t talk about that.”

“The DA’s office is involved in ongoing evaluations of the cases to determine if the cases are compromised due to the criminal wrongdoing and misconduct,” he stated. “Those 40 have been compromised to the point they can’t be salvaged so they were dismissed.”

“The Antioch and Pittsburg Police Departments are cooperating with us and are assisting,” Asregadoo shared. “It’s a complex endeavor and is wide ranging. The scope of it is not a single incident.”

Chief Assistant District Attorney Simon O’Connell offered the following statement about the matter:

“There are multiple officers who are subjects of an ongoing criminal investigation involving a range of offenses which constitute crimes of moral turpitude. The Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office is actively engaged in evaluating these cases to determine whether the charged case is compromised or whether the case can proceed. Community safety remains paramount, and the District Attorney’s Office remains steadfast in preserving as many cases as possible.”

An estimated three or five Antioch Police Officers are involved.

Antioch Police still won’t say how many Antioch officers are under investigation, APD Public Information Officer Darryl Safford said. But he did confirm they are still on paid administrative leave. Asked if the DA’s office shared how many of the 40 cases were from Antioch Saffold said, “they have not informed us.”

In addition, an effort to reach new Pittsburg Police Chief Steve Albanese for details from his department was unsuccessful prior to publication time. Please check back later for any updates to this report.

Martinez man arrested, charged in sexual assaults in Central Contra Costa

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Also charged with elder abuse; bail set at $8 million

By Jimmy Lee, Public Information Officer, Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff

Christopher David Owens. Photo: CCC Sheriff’s Office

Detectives from the Investigation Division of the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff served a search warrant on July 7, 2022, at a residence in Martinez. At that time, they arrested 39-year-old Christopher David Owens of Martinez. Detectives identified Owens as the suspect in sexual assaults that occurred in the Pacheco area this year. During the investigation, detectives worked with other local law enforcement agencies, which identified Owens as a suspect in their cases. These include:

-A rape that occurred in Walnut Creek in March 2017

-A rape in Concord in August 2017

-An attempted rape in Pleasant Hill in October 2020

Owens was booked into the Martinez Detention Facility on numerous sexual assault and other felony charges. He is currently being held in lieu of $8 million bail.

Detectives presented the case to the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office on Monday, July 11, 2022. He was charged with numerous felonies to include three counts of rape, assault with intent to commit rape, forced oral copulation, sexual penetration by a foreign object, elder abuse, and sexual battery.

The cases remain under investigation. Detectives believe there may be additional victims. Anyone with any information is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Office Investigation Division. Detective A. Kotchevar can be reached at (925) 313-2623 or by email at: akotc@so.cccounty.us. For any tips, email: tips@so.cccounty.us or call (866) 846-3592 to leave an anonymous voice message.

According to localcrimenews.com, Owens was arrested by Walnut Creek Police in 2018 for inflicting corporal injury on a spouse or cohabitant, and again, later that year by Martinez Police on an outstanding warrant.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Art at BART: 15 years after its installation, a mural at Richmond Station continues to inspire

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Artists Jos Sances (left) and Daniel Galvez (right) in front of their three-panel mural. Photos: BART

When creating an art installation in a highly trafficked public space, duration matters. While some artworks are intended to celebrate the ephemeral and the fleeting, BART often looks for the permanent and the durable when adding another mural to its portfolio.

Given this constraint, Bay Area artists Daniel Galvez and Jos Sances set out to create a mural that would stand the test of time and speak to its community for years to come. Galvez primarily works with paint. Sances is the “high-tech guy,” said Galvez, his longtime friend and collaborator. It was up to Sances to take Galvez’s original oil painting and create something monumental – and long-lasting.

In 2007, the duo joined forces to create a large-scale mural at Richmond Station. Fifteen years later, the mural’s colors are nearly as vibrant as the day it was installed.

BART recently joined Galvez and Sances at the foot of the mural, which is owned by the City of Richmond, to reflect on its creation and its impact. The two artists, whose works blanket the region (you can spy their joint mural, “Future Roads,” at BART’s 16th St. Station), spoke as candidly as you would expect of two old pals. The pair met in San Francisco in the early 1980s, and they’ve been collaborating on giant works of public art ever since.

“It’s been up for 15 years, and the mural hasn’t been graffitied,” Sances said of the Richmond Station mural, titled “On the Right Track.” Graffiti, after all, is the bane of muralists’ creations.

Galvez thinks he knows why no graffiti artists have dared touch the mural. An artwork that “engages the community, is reflective of its history, honors their culture and their work” has a profound impact on community members.

“People respond to that intimately,” Galvez said, “because it’s about them.”

The mural features three eight-by-twelve-foot panels of durable tile. Each panel spotlights a different aspect of Richmond history, from its original native inhabitants – the Ohlones – to current residents.

Galvez described the mural like “a movie.”

“You can move into one scene from the next,” he said. “People are sucked into it; they follow the story. They want to know more.”

The mural began in the Richmond library, where Galvez and Sances researched local history and major events and figures. With ideas swirling in their minds, the artists then hosted a series of community meetings, in which they met with locals bearing photographs of themselves and family. Some of the photographic imagery was incorporated into the mural (you may even catch the smiling face of Sances’ grandson as a baby. He’s now 16).

To create the strikingly colorful tiles, Sances had to get creative. He decided to tap into new techniques that enabled him to print Galvez’s painting directly onto the tile in a process known as sublimation.

“It’s a heat transfer process,” Sances said. “You make a print on transfer paper, then put that on a raw tile that’s receptive to ink. Then it gets sublimated onto the tile. You peel off the paper, and there’s the image.”

Sublimation is now ubiquitous, but Galvez and Sances continue to find new ways to utilize it. A recent co-mural used the sublimation process to print a painting onto stainless steel.

If you can look past the colorful tiles and lower your gaze a few feet, you’ll notice a series of beige, hand-carved ceramic pieces that depict a railroad, carrying everything from a mariachi band to a bear cub and his mom. The handcrafted tiles spotlight Richmond culture and history, while adding a certain playfulness and tactility for children passing through.

“I like the fact that it was Jos’s idea to introduce the lower ceramic pieces because it’s more children’s height,” Galvez said. “If they’re really curious, they could stand on the bench and look at the mural and feel it.”

The goal of the mural, ultimately, is to engage people. Galvez’s painting philosophy derives from “Los Tres Grandes” – Mexican muralists who painted on a grand scale throughout the twentieth century.

“The point of [Los Tres Grandes’] work was for people to see art daily and enrich their lives and see their history,” Galvez said. “It’s art that’s integrated into people’s lives.”

Painting actual Richmond residents was a major component of integrating the artwork into the fabric of Richmond culture.

“When people see images of themselves done in such a particular way, it’s really elevating,” Sances said. “I think the whole community gets a lift from that.”

Pittsburg Marsh Fire contained, no threat to structures but still producing significant smoke

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Pittsburg Marsh Fire on Friday, July 8, 2022. Photo: PG&E

Stubborn six-week-old peat fire in largely inaccessible areas of Bay Point and Pittsburg

By Steve Hill, PIO, Contra Costa Fire Protection District

Aerial view of Marsh Fire on Monday, July 11, 2022, of peat burning for six-plus weeks along Bay Point and Pittsburg shorelines. Photo courtesy PG&E

July 12, 2022 – Contra Costa County Fire Protection District (Con Fire) today announced details regarding a peat fire that has been burning since May 28 in the waterfront areas of Bay Point and Pittsburg.

  • The original fire began the early afternoon of May 28 in a homeless encampment near Suisun and Solano Avenues in Bay Point that burned to approximately 200 acres. The homeless encampment was completely consumed by the fire. No injuries were reported.
  • The May 28 fire occurred in a largely inaccessible area with no structures or inhabitants and created a lingering and stubborn fire that has burned in the marsh since that date. The fire burned into large amounts of peat in the area throughout the ensuing six weeks, consuming additional vegetation and intermittently producing noticeable smoke, depending on weather conditions, but still threatening no structures or lives.
  • On Saturday, July 9, driven by wind, the peat fire flared up extending into adjacent grassy areas of Pittsburg, threatening overhead high-voltage PG&E transmission lines and nearby decommissioned industrial sites.
  • In spite of high winds at the scene, an overwhelming response from Con Fire, aided by Cal Fire, resulted in the fire being contained before it could extend into neighboring homes.
  • Con Fire requested mutual aid from Cal Fire for water-dropping helicopters. Due to the threat to PG&E infrastructure, this request was granted.
  • Before it was contained, the fire consumed an additional 74 acres, bringing the total area consumed by the fires to approximately 500 acres. As of July 11, the Marsh Fire is contained and continues to smolder in inaccessible areas of the Bay Point and Pittsburg waterfront.
  • Peat fires are notoriously stubborn, can be virtually impossible to extinguish, and are often left, for lack of alternatives, to burn themselves out.
  • Today, the remaining peat fire is producing significant smoke but presenting little fire danger to the surrounding area. It is NOT threatening structures; no evacuations are anticipated, as a result. The Fire has consumed most of the fuel adjacent to the community, increasing the margin of safety that would otherwise present a fire risk.
  • The property owner has been cooperative, hiring contractors to mow and disk hundreds of acres to eliminate hazardous fuels.
  • PG&E also provided resources to support the operation in the form of infrastructure protection teams and a large water-dropping helicopter.
  • We share resident concerns regarding the smoke and are aggressively pursuing additional remedies for the situation with city and county officials, other jurisdictions, the property owner, and multiple regulatory agencies, in an attempt to mitigate the situation as soon as possible.
  • Con Fire continues to monitor the fire scene and is prepared to immediately address any flare ups that may occur.
  • We have coordinated with Contra Costa Health Services to monitor air quality in the fire area and, as a result, CCHS issued a health advisory late on July 11.
  • For information on protecting yourself and your family from smoke, please visit cchealth.org/wildfire-smoke/.

Infrared view of hot spots (in white) burning in peat under visible grass fire in Bay Point and Pittsburg on Sunday, July 10, 2022. Photo courtesy Cal OES

California State Parks Adventure Pass available for 4th graders and families

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By California State Parks

Hey, fourth graders! Are you ready for an adventure?

The California State Park Adventure Pass is just for you. See how you can visit some of the most amazing parks in the country with your family and friends—for free.

What?

In partnership with the First Partner’s Office and the Natural Resources Agency, the California State Park Adventure Pass provides free entry for fourth graders and their families at 19 amazing state parks throughout the state. Mountains, deserts, forests, rivers … the choice of where to visit is yours.

Who?

You (a fourth grader from California), your family (up to three adults and other kids) and friends (everyone in your car) can enjoy all sorts of adventures at 19 state parks during your whole fourth grade year—and the summer after, too. (So, it’s good this summer for those going into fifth grade).

How?

Have your parent or guardian go to ReserveCalifornia.com or call (800) 444-7275. All they have to do is set up a profile by providing their name, address, phone number and email address, and we’ll send them your free California State Park Adventure Pass to their email right away!  For individuals that do not have access to a smartphone, computer or printer and/or do not have an email address to use when applying online, they can still apply for a pass by visiting a State Parks Pass Sales Office. Click here for a list of locations.

Where?

Once you have your Pass, you can use it by either printing it out or keeping it on your phone to show a uniformed state park staffer at one of these 19 state parks.

Recreate Responsibly

Getting into the outdoors is the perfect way to connect with nature, family and friends but it is important to do so responsibly. Please protect yourself and your family by learning about the park you are visiting before heading out, wearing appropriate clothing, staying prepared by bringing the essentials like enough food and water, and knowing your comfort level to avoid injuries. For additional safety tips, click here.

Your Parents Speak Spanish?

¿Tus padres hablan español? Tenemos personal que les pueden ayudar en su idioma. Diles a tus padres que nos llamen por teléfono al 1-800-444-7275 o nos visiten en ReserveCalifornia.com

Learn more at www.parks.ca.gov/AdventurePass

 

Seventh Annual Hetrick Memorial Race set for Antioch Speedway Saturday night

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Two of the favorites to win the Hetrick race in the IMCA Modifieds are point leader Nick DeCarlo #17 and two-time Hetrick race winner Kellen Chadwick #83. Photo by Katrina Kniss

By Candice Martin, DCRR Racing Media

Antioch, CA…After a week off to celebrate the 4th of July, racing returns to Antioch Speedway in a big way this Saturday night. It’s the Seventh Annual Hetrick Memorial race, and increased purses are on the line for IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sport Modifieds, IMCA Stock Cars and Pacific Coast General Engineering Hobby Stocks.

More than the money, this race is about remembering the late Jerry Hetrick, who passed away in May of 2016. Hetrick competed in the Sportsman division in the 1970s and was one of the first drivers to clock in with a 15 second time on the quarter-mile clay oval. He was a Main Event winner during his career, which was impressive considering he didn’t have a big budget. He also ranked Top 5 or Top 10 in various seasons before wrapping up his career in 1981.

Even after his time behind the wheel was over, Jerry was known to help other racers with advice and encouragement. Kellen Chadwick, who is a two-time winner of this race, sites Jerry as being somebody who offered him plenty of encouragement when he was just getting started in his racing career. When Jerry’s wife Mary Ann passed away, the event was named the Hetrick Memorial to celebrate and remember both of them.

Kenny Shrader #188 has performed well in this race in the past and is the last season’s IMCA Sport Modified winner. Photo by Katrina Kniss

The race has been held six times, and the IMCA Modifieds and Hobby Stocks have been a part of all six events. Marysville legend Randy McDaniel won the very first Modified race in 2016. Bobby Hogge, IV and Chadwick have each won it twice with Troy Foulger winning the race last year. Kenny Shrader picked up the IMCA Sport Modified portion of the show last year, while Kenneth Robles won the Hobby Stock race.

Thanks to sponsorship, the IMCA Modifieds will be competing for $1,500 to win on Saturday. It’s $750 to finish second, and just taking the green flag in the Main Event assures the driver at least $150 at the pay window. The IMCA Sport Modifieds will compete for $750 to win, the IMCA Stock Cars will get a $600 payout for the winner, and first place in the Hobby Stocks pays $500. In all three Main Events, drivers will receive $100 minimum for taking the green flag.

We’ve reached the halfway point of the championship season, and nowhere is the battle more intense than in the IMCA Modifieds. Just four points separate leader Nick DeCarlo, Chadwick and Bobby Motts Jr in a good battle. DeCarlo has won three times this year, but he’s hoping to get his first Hetrick win. He has four Top 3 finishes in the six Hetrick races. Older brother Terry DeCarlo Jr is 19 points out of the lead and the top rookie. Rival Trevor Clymens is only two points behind DeCarlo Jr in a close rookie battle. It is hoped that the increased payout will attract some top competitors from outside of the area.

In the IMCA Sport Modifieds, point leader Fred Ryland is looking for his second win in the big race and fifth of the season in this division. Ryland tops the all-time winner’s list in the Sport Modified class and is fourth overall combined. He recently got his 70th career Antioch Speedway win, which puts him two points ahead of recent Northwest Speedweek Series champion Andrew Pearce.

Through consistency, 2004 Mini Stock champion Jason Jennings #42 is third in IMCA Stock Car points. Photo by Katrina Kniss

Just 17 points out of the lead in third is Jacob Mallet Jr. Jason Ryan Jr is seven points ahead of Chuck Golden in the race for fourth while two-time winner Tommy Fraser is nine points out of fourth. Kenny Shrader is not only the defending race winner, he has earned podium finishes on all four occasions in which this division was a part of the show. A strong turnout of competitors is anticipated in this division.

Likewise, the Pacific Coast General Engineering Hobby Stocks are expected to have a strong showing. As mentioned above, they’ve been showcased as part of the Hetrick race since it started in 2016. IMCA Modified rookie Kenneth Robles won the race last year, and the other Hobby Stock winners include Les Friend, Josh Leach, Cameron Swank, Melissa Myers and Guy Ahlwardt. There is yet to be a repeat winner for the Hobby Stocks in this race, and everybody has their eyes on the $500 prize.

Misty Welborn’s incredible start that saw her win three Main Events has her 26 points ahead of Michaela Taylor in the Hobby Stock championship battle. 52 points out of the lead is reigning champion Larry McKinzie Jr. Both McKinzie and Clymens have podium finishes but are still looking for their first wins of the season.

Just four points behind McKinzie in a closer race for third is Jared Baugh. Jess Paladino is 22 points out of fourth and only six points tallies ahead of sixth ranked Jewel Crandall. Last time out, Grayson Baca got his first career win, and it just may be that we see another first-time winner on this occasion.

Jared Baugh #07 is closing in on his first Hobby Stock Main Event win and is fourth in the standings. Photo by Katrina Kniss

The IMCA Stock Cars are making their first appearance at the Hetrick Memorial event. All season long, we’ve witnessed a close battle between reigning series champion Travis Dutra and Jason Robles. Dutra is maintaining a 12-point advantage over Robles despite not winning yet this year. He has six Top 5 finishes, including four seconds. Robles has a pair of victories.

Further back, the steady Jason Jennings is third in the standings, eight points ahead of Joe Gallaher, 12 ahead of Dave Hill and 22 in front of two-time winner Fred Ryland. Jennings is the 2004 Mini Stock champion. It’s anybody’s guess who will win the $600 prize this Saturday night.

The Hetrick Memorial is one of the biggest races during the regular season that Antioch Speedway offers. Saturday night’s show will be exciting from start to finish. The gates open at 4:00pm with the first race starting at 6:00pm.

Ticket prices are $20 for Adults, $15 for Military, Seniors (60 and over) and Children (under 11) with Children 5 and under free

For further information, go to www.antochspeedway.com.

The California State Fair & Food Festival returns July 15-31 in Sacramento

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Photos by CA State Fair

Back Together!

After a two-year hiatus the California State Fair & Food Festival is back July 15-31 at the Cal Expo. It will include exhibits, programs, competitions, thoroughbred horse racing, carnival rides, freestyle motocross shows, concerts and lots of food! We’re excited to be BACK TOGETHER with everyone!

SPECIAL FAIR DAYS

$2 Taste of the Fair – Wednesdays & Thursdays, 11 am – 4 pm – Sample a variety of fair foods with $2 menu specials from your favorite food vendors.

Senior Savings Friday – Discount admission of $10 for seniors 62 & better.

Tuesday Kids Free Day & $2 Rides for All – July 19 & 26 FREE admission for kids 12 and under. Rides cost $2 each for all fair goers.

Military, Veteran & First Responder Appreciation Day – Thursday, July 21 – FREE admission all day for active duty, reserve and veterans from all branches of the military, active first responders.

SMUD Giving Mondays at the Fair – Monday, July 18 & Monday, July 25 – BRING 3 non-perishable, non-expired food items to the Fair Gates before 3 p.m. and receive FREE admission. The collected food items will benefit the Elk Grove Food Bank.

FOOD FESTIVAL

Over thirty food vendors will have a special Food Festival item for you to eat by yourself or share! There’s something delicious for every palate.

From savory – like sweet BBQ pulled pork, to sweet – like the bacon and pecan cinnamon roll and fried of course! – deep fried apple pie anyone?

Come visit all of our award-winning Food Festival Pass participants, see their well-deserved ribbons displayed at their booths and taste their delicious entries!

Main Gate Hours

  • Monday – Thursday: 11 am – 10 pm
  • Friday – Sunday: 10 am – 10 pm

Carnival Hours

  • Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday : Opens at 2pm
  • Tuesday, Saturday, Sunday: Opens at 11am

Kids Park Hours

  • Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday : Opens at 1 pm
  • Tuesday, Saturday, Sunday: Opens at 11 am

The California State Fair & Food Festival is located at the Cal Expo, 1600 Exposition Blvd. in Sacramento. For more information and details on all events, activities and competitions visit http://calexpostatefair.com/event/ca-state-fair/  and for the programs and exhibits visit https://calexpostatefair.com/fair/.

Delta Veterans Group presents Music Heals Concert at Antioch’s El Campanil Theatre July 9

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Short documentary about the effort by Joey Travolta and crew will be shown

SATURDAY, JULY 9TH @ 2PM

ADULTS/YOUTH: $22, SENIORS/VETERANS: $20

Join us for an afternoon of fantastic bands, all to support our veterans!

Organizers Darlyn Phillips and Tony Archimedes shared the following about the concert:

“For many years musicians have been coming to support the Stand Down on the Delta for homeless veterans. They come without pay from 10 AM in the morning to 10 PM at night. We are sure that they love doing the music as a labor of love type of thing, but we felt that the musicians themselves really needed to be recognized.

About a year ago we met Joey Travolta, John’s brother, who is a film director and teaches film producing and acting to under privileged people with autism. We told him about the Stand Down and the musicians and he agreed to do a documentary on it. (See related article)

On July 9, we will be featuring some of the musicians who play at the Stand Downs, as well as showing the short documentary. Three bands will take the stage and play from 2 to 4 PM, alternately. This is sort of a stepping off point that brings awareness about a program we are going to be spearheading called Music Heals.

Please pass the word on and it would be great to see you there!!! Take care and keep the music alive! Our band is The Groove Room.”

ABOUT THE BANDS:

The Illusions came together as young men of this area at the age of 14 or 15 years old. The boys grew up together and played until they were in their late teens when life would take them down a different path. The young men entered the military–one went into the US Army and would later receive orders and serve time as a combat veteran. Joe Martinez saw combat and served his time in Vietnam. Richard Rivas, the group’s band leader and drummer, was drafted into the US Army. Richard Rivas has many interesting stories to tell. Richard leads the group into many R&B Classics and is a huge hit on the dance floor. Tony Archimedes joined the US Marine Corp to protect his country and to serve in Viet Nam, but instead was sent to Pearl Harbor, HI to play in the Marine Band. Each time he requested to go to Vietnam, Tony was told he was needed in the band. His entire unit who were sent to Vietnam were killed. He will always remember his men. Tony plays many instruments and has taught hundreds of young musicians in the Bay area, many of them going on to receive awards and scholarships. Mitch McCarrie served his time in the US Naval Reserves in Alameda on the Flight Line and continues to enjoy playing for his fellow veterans. Mitch plays a mean guitar.

The Groove Room Band specializes in jazz and crossover tunes and Bossa Nova, although they play a variety of genres. The band features Tony Archimedes on keys, and Bay Area bassist Michael Fourie with his unusual and killer electric bass. Originally from Canada, Michael continues to perform for the troops at the Stand Down on the Delta and a variety of other events as well as Bay Area wide in a variety of venues. The trumpet player for the Groove Room, Walter Barr directed for Dizzy Gillespie and many other legends. The drummer, Brett King Cosby, is well-known and has played for many top bands across the country. Darlyn Phillips is the band’s leader and lead singer.

Areas of Santana features guitarist Ray Cepeda. He has recorded with many Bay Area artists and more, and has recently recorded with Chepito Areas. The two travel throughout the U.S. bringing awareness and inspiration to audiences throughout. Chepito, legacy of the Santana Band, is a motivator not only in the energy and vibe of his music but in the passion of his art and love of life. Cepeda is an educator teaching mostly Spanish, electronics and music for the ROP classes in the Eden area of Hayward.

Phillips initiated the documentary which was produced by Joey Travolta. The ‘Music Heals’ documentary, of the Music Heals Program for DVG’s Stand Down on the Delta for Homeless Veterans, features many of the veterans who come to the Stand Downs to play for their fellow veterans. The program was started by Phillips to promote awareness and support for veterans coming back into their musical arenas after injury or trauma and to inspire, to encourage playing, to regain lost skills, or develop new ones.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.