League of Women Voters to hold online panel discussion on “Wildfires…Be Prepared!” Thursday, Sept. 16
By Gail Murray
Contra Costa County has many high fire danger areas. How will you know when to evacuate? If the power is out, will you be able to use your mobile phone? How can you keep wildfire smoke out of your home?
These and other questions will be the focus of “Wildfires…Be Prepared!” on Thursday, September 16 from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m. on Zoom. The program, sponsored by the Contra Costa County Library and the League of Women Voters of both Diablo Valley and West Contra Costa County, will feature a panel of experts to provide information and answer your questions:
- State Senator Nancy Skinner, funding programs available for wildfire preparation;
- Assistant Chief Fire Marshall Chris Bachman, how communities can prepare for fire dangers;
- PG&E leader Mark Van Gorder, plans for Public Safety Power Shutoffs;
- United Policyholders’ Emily Rogan, how homeowners and renters can prepare for long-term recovery from a fire.
The panel will be moderated by Brentwood City Council Member Karen Rarey.
Learn what a FireWise Council is and how the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) can provide neighborhood communications.
To attend, sign up at the link below:
Check for dates and times when the program will be available afterwards for broadcast on CCTV.
Applications now available for Contra Costa DA’s Office Fall 2021 Community Academy
Due Sept. 24; Academy begins Oct. 13
By Scott Alonso, PIO, Contra Costa County Office of the District Attorney
District Attorney Diana Becton announced Tuesday, that the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office will launch a fourth Community Academy class this October. The goal of the academy will be to strengthen community relations and provide residents a better understanding of our criminal justice system. Given the COVID-19 pandemic, this fall’s class will be limited, and social distancing measures will be followed. Participants will be required to wear a mask while participating during the academy.
The academy is free and is open to residents who live or work in Contra Costa County. Individuals must complete an application and background check when they apply. Residents can access an application on our website or residents may also apply in-person at one of our offices at the following locations:
- 900 Ward Street, Martinez, CA 94553
- 10 Douglas Drive Suite 130, Martinez, CA 94553
- 100 37th St. Room 220, Richmond, CA 94805
Residents can submit the applications to the attention of Scott Alonso. Applicants may also email DA-CommunityAcademy@contracostada.org with their completed application. The application period ends on September 24, 2021.
The Community Academy will be made up of at least 10 individuals for a 9-week course held at the DA’s Office in downtown Martinez, 900 Ward Street from 5:30-7:30 p.m. every Wednesday starting October 13, 2021. The Community Academy, which is similar to Citizens’ Academies hosted by many law enforcement agencies, is the only academy of its kind at a District Attorney’s Office in Northern California.
The academy helps underscore the office’s commitment to engaging and educating residents of Contra Costa County. Admitted applicants can expect to learn how cases are filed, the different types of crimes our office investigates and prosecutes, and the work we do not only prosecuting cases but also the community outreach efforts underway to prevent crime and to support children, parents and crime victims. The comprehensive overview by our office will allow residents to get an in-depth examination and review of the criminal justice system in our community.
Brentwood event to honor 13 fallen service members in Afghanistan attack Saturday
Celebration and fundraiser for Liberia’s 174th Independence Day in Bay Point July 17
You are cordially invited by the officers and members of the Liberian Initiative for Transformation and Enlightenment (LITE) to attend its fundraiser and Liberia’s Independence Day Celebration, which will be held on Saturday, July 17, 2021 at Ambrose Community Center, 3105 Willow Pass Road, Bay Point, CA 94565, 6pm to 12am.
Liberia is a West African nation established by formerly enslaved African Americans. The country declared its independence on July 26, 1847. We will be commemorating Liberia’s 174th Independence’s Day. This year’s Theme is: “Restoring HOPE for the less privileged”.
LITE is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization based in California. LITE has been in existence since 2017, and during this period, LITE has provided services to members of the local communities and humanitarian projects in Liberia. Throughout the years, LITE continues to strive in expanding its program in meeting the basic needs of the people and communities it serves, especially in Liberia. We hope you will be able to attend the occasion and partake in this exciting event and to experience firsthand the pride we take in providing these services to the people we serve and to improve their lives. More importantly, to meet our program goals and objectives, we rely on the generosity of organizations and individuals like you.
Project partners, city officials break ground for The Blossoms @ Brentwood luxury residential rental community
The ceremonial turning of the shovels of dirt by Mark Tekin of Tekin & Associates, Jim Previti and Rich Alexander of Guardian Capital and other Guardian team members, who were joined by Mayor Joel Bryant, Planning Commissioner Dirk Zeigler, City Manager Tim Ogden and Police Chief Tom Hansen, to officially break ground on the The Blossoms @ Brentwood. Photos by Allen Payton (Right) Rendering of the 288-unit project.
Located near the future BART Station; another Brentwood project from Tekin & Associates and Guardian Capital partnership; contribute $5,000 to Brentwood Regional Community Chest
Brentwood Mayor Joel Bryant (left), Planning Commissioner Dirk Zeigler, Police Chief Tom Hansen, Rich Alexander, Mark Tekin with (right side) Jim Previti, Guardian Development Manager Travis Adams and Guardian Senior VP Asset Management Russell Rodriguez with the banner showing name of the new community revealed during the groundbreaking.
Brentwood, California – June 10, 2021. Tekin & Associates and Guardian Capital are pleased to announce today’s official groundbreaking of the 288-unit luxury residential rental community, The Blossoms @ Brentwood, which offers a wonderful Craftsman Style architecture, modern one- two- and three- bedroom luxury apartment homes with car ports, garages, private patios, and exceptional interior finishes. A modern clubhouse complex with expansive mountain views, featuring a fitness center featuring the latest personal fitness equipment and an entertainment deck adjacent to a large swimming pool and spa, presents a resort-like, private amenity experience.
“We are extremely proud to bring such an amenity-rich, active lifestyle community to Brentwood,” stated Jim Previti, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Guardian Capital. “The Blossoms represents the first of three luxury rental communities with aggregate project costs in excess of $300 million that we will deliver during the next year with our partner, Tekin & Associates.”
Guardian Capital is a privately-held real estate investment firm with a portfolio in excess of $1 billion primarily in the Western United States and has in excess of $1 billion of assets in various stages of development. Guardian currently operates more than 1,500 residential rental units and has more than 1,500 units under construction with an additional 2,500 units in its development pipeline. In the last three years, Guardian has delivered ten residential rental communities valued at more than $650 million. Based in Carlsbad, California with offices in Newport Beach and Sacramento, Guardian focuses primarily on the development and operation of institutional-quality multifamily communities, grocery-anchored retail centers and well-located office properties.
Tekin & Associates is a boutique commercial real estate firm focusing on real estate developments with fundamentally superior locations in mature markets with high barriers to entry.
The Blossoms @ Brentwood rendering.
“When we developed the General Plan, we had in mind that we could have a place for residents who were born here and left, that could come back and raise their families,” said Mayor Joel Bryant. “When we had the opportunity to partner with this project this is exactly the kind of project we envisioned. So, our students who go away to college can return and live here.”
“I’m excited about this project,” he added.
Developer Mark Tekin, of Tekin & Associates, which also has built the Shops @ Lone Tree Way between Highway 4 and Jefferey Way, shared his thoughts.
“About two-and-a-half years ago, we stumbled onto this project,” he said. “What has culminated here is a project that will fill a need for attainable housing.”
“We’re happy to be back in Brentwood as part of this Tekin community,” Previti added. “It’s a great project and a great location.”
“We build these, and we hold these, normally for 10 years,” Rich Alexander, Previti’s partner stated. “That makes us a part of the community.”
Jane Rodriguez and Lill Pierce of the Brentwood Regional Community Chest are presented with the ceremonial check by Mark Tekin (left) and Jim Previti.
He then introduced Lill Pearce, president of the Brentwood Regional Community Chest, to whom Tekin and Guardian contributed $5,000.
“I’d like to thank everyone here for your generous donation to our organization,” Pierce said. “We provide Christmas meals and toys to children. We also help the community in emergency situations with food and clothing, as well.”
A ceremonial check was then presented to Pierce and the organization’s treasurer, Jane Rodriguez by Tekin and Previti.
That was followed by the ceremonial turning of the shovels of dirt by Tekin, Previti, Alexander and other Guardian team members, who were joined by Mayor Bryant, Planning Commissioner Dirk Zeigler, City Manager Tim Ogden and Police Chief Tom Hansen, to officially break ground on the project that’s already under construction, and ahead of schedule.
Completion of The Blossoms at Brentwood community, located on Shady Willow Lane, along the future Amber Lane extension, and next to Jeffrey Way, across Highway 4 from the future Brentwood BART Station, is expected to be in early 2023 with leasing to begin in July 2022.
DeSaulnier to host Congressional Grants Workshop Friday, May 14
Join me as I host a Congressional Grants Workshop on Friday, May 14th from 12:30 p.m to 2:30 p.m. I have invited federal representatives from the below agencies to attend and share their expertise:
- Department of Justice
- Department of Defense
- Department of Housing and Urban Development
- National Endowment for the Humanities
- National Endowment for the Arts
- Small Business Administration
- U.S. Department of Labor
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
- Institute of Museum and Library Services
Don’t miss this opportunity to find out what grants may be available to you from these federal agencies. I want to offer constituents who represent nonprofits, small businesses, and local community organizations a window into the content and availability of federal grants. Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions concerning grants and find out what services and funding resources may be available to them.
To RSVP, email Grants Coordinator Taylor Kimber at taylor.kimber@mail.house.gov or call (510) 620-1000.
Keller Canyon Mitigation Fund 2021-22 grant cycle opens
Amounts from $500 to $10,000 available in Bay Point, Pittsburg and Antioch
The Office of Supervisor Federal Glover is pleased to announce that the 2021–22 grant cycle for the Keller Canyon Mitigation Fund is now open. Grant applications ranging from $500 to $10,000 will be accepted via the online application portal beginning April 29, 2021 at 8:00 AM. Applications for services must fall within one of the broad categories previously approved by the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors:
- Code Enforcement
- Community Beautification
- Community Services
- Public Safety (Including Public Health)
- Youth Services
Additionally, services funded by the Keller Canyon Mitigation Fund must be offered in the mitigation area, which includes the unincorporated community of Bay Point, the City of Pittsburg, and the City of Antioch. The target area is divided into a primary area (Bay Point and Pittsburg from its western border to Harbor Street) and a secondary area (Pittsburg from Harbor Street east to the entire City of Antioch). Services may also be provided to organizations outside the mitigation area only when the beneficiaries reside within the mitigation area.
In order to apply for Keller Canyon Mitigation grant funds, organizations must be designated either a 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(6) corporation under the Internal Revenue Code.
MANDATORY BIDDER’S CONFERENCE—THURSDAY, APRIL 29, 2021
To be eligible to apply for Keller Canyon Mitigation funds, nonprofit organizations must have at least one representative attend and remain for its duration a mandatory virtual bidder’s conference on Thursday, April 29 at 9:00 AM. The bidder’s conference is expected to last for approximately 90–120 minutes and will include detailed presentations on the grant process as well as allow for questions and answers. So we may keep a record of attendees, registration for the bidder’s conference is required.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THE MANDATORY BIDDER’S CONFERENCE
Should you have any questions, please call the District 5 office at 925-608-4200 or send an email to district5@bos.cccounty.us.
Supervisor Glover, DA Becton to host webinar Town Hall on COVID-19 and the Black community March 25
By Scott Alonso, Public Information Officer, Contra Costa County Office of the District Attorney
On Thursday, March 25, Contra Costa County Supervisor Federal Glover and District Attorney Diana Becton will host a webinar town hall for the community focused on COVID-19 and the Black community. Local leaders will join them from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. to review their experiences of getting the vaccine. Health experts will also participate in the town hall to convey how critical the vaccine is to stop the virus and save lives.
Vaccine numbers in the Black community locally are lower compared to their white counterparts. For example, in the city of Richmond as of March 15 only 20 percent of residents had received their first dose. In the city of Pittsburg, that number is as low as 18 percent. Overall, only 14,427 Black residents have received one dose of the vaccine.
The panelists during the town hall will review the latest medical information about the vaccine, how all three vaccines approved for use are safe and effective and will take questions from community members.
A recent joint statement from public health leaders across the Bay Area underscored the importance of getting vaccinated: “What we can say with certainty is that all three vaccines provide levels of protection that are comparable to some of the best vaccines we have for other serious infectious diseases for which we routinely vaccinate people.”
Members of the town hall panel include:
- Nicola Ifill Fraser, Ed.D., MPH, Public Health Educator (Town Hall Moderator)
- Bisa French, Chief, Richmond Police Department
- Tammany Brooks, Chief, Antioch Police Department
- Chris Farnitano, MD, Health Officer, Contra Costa County
- Ashley Vance, Contra Costa Regional Medical Center
- Sonia Sutherland, Contra Costa Regional Medical Center
To attend the virtual town hall you can use this link: https://cccounty-us.zoom.us/j/84291028781?pwd=Wm5OczZ5TkZ6T1RadEFaUEE4MnU0QT09
Free document shredding event for seniors at TreVista in Antioch and Concord March 27
In coordination with An Elderly Wish Foundation
Please join in this free drive-through mobile shredding event at TreVista in Antioch at 3950 Lone Tree Way or TreVista in Concord at 1081 Mohr Lane on Saturday, March 27, 2021 – 10:00 am to 2:00 pm!
Freewill tax-deductible donations will be accepted for An Elderly Wish Foundation a non-profit granting wishes to seniors in Contra Costa County. Our website is www.elderlywish.org.
Thanks to Tamsen and Anne of TreVista for their support!!
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