News Of By and For The People of Contra Costa County, California
By Concord Police Department
Help Us Bring Holiday Magic to Local Kids!
We’re hosting our Concord Police Department Toy Drive Collection and we’d love your support!
Target – 560 Contra Costa Blvd., Pleasant Hill
Saturday, November 29
7:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Join us in making the holidays brighter for local families.
Come on out — we’ll see you there!
By Mairead Glowacki, Communications Director, Office of Congressman Mark DeSaulnier
Walnut Creek, CA – Today, Tuesday, November 25, 2025, Congressman Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10) announced that he will host a town hall in San Ramon to discuss improving transportation and education in the East Bay on Saturday, December 6th from 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. PT.
As a senior member of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Committee on Education and Workforce, Congressman DeSaulnier will provide updates on his work to improve quality of life in the East Bay by reducing commute times and supporting families, students, and public education. He will also take questions from constituents.
“Two of the issues that impact people’s lives most are transportation and education,” DeSaulnier said. “I’ll highlight my work as a senior member of @EdWorkforceDems and @TransportDems and how I’m working to reduce commutes, make transportation safer, and invest in quality public education to make life better for our whole community.”
Town Hall on Improving Transportation and Education in the East Bay
Saturday, December 6th
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. PT
Live Oak Elementary School
The event is open to the public and press. To RSVP or request special accommodations, visit https://desaulnier.house.gov/town-hall-rsvp or call (925) 933-2660. Please note that space is limited.
This will be Congressman DeSaulnier’s 253rd town hall and mobile district office hour since coming to Congress in January 2015.
Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.
By Sean Gannon, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 75
The Beacon on Mount Diablo will be lit at sunset on Tuesday, November 11th, 2025, to honor the men and women who have served in the United States Military.
Join local veterans and the Mayor of Danville Renee Morgan at 4:40 pm by the Flagpole in front of the Veterans Memorial Building in Danville as they press the button at 5:00 pm to light the Beacon on Mount Diablo, followed by a flyover from WWII aircraft from Valiant Effort Foundation!
The Veterans Memorial Building will be open to the public from 5:00 to 7:00 pm. A proclamation was signed on February 25th, 2022, in the Veterans Memorial Building in Danville to light the Beacon on Mount Diablo not only on Pearl Harbor Day, but also on Memorial Day and Veterans’ Day.
The event is sponsored by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 75. Special Thanks to California State Parks, Save Mount Diablo and the Town of Danville for all their amazing support to honor veterans!
For more information about the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1525 visit www.facebook.com/LtJerryNovakovichPost1525.
Photo: Vitalant
By Kevin Adler, Communications Manager, Vitalant
Every two seconds, a patient in the U.S. needs blood but fewer donors give as end-of-year holiday activities start to fill calendars. That’s why nonprofit Vitalant is urging all eligible donors to give thanks for their good health and make an appointment to give blood this November. Just an hour time commitment helps ensure every patient’s blood need can be met all through the holidays.
It takes donors of all blood types to keep the blood supply stable, especially type O and platelet donors. O-negative blood can help any patient. O-positive, the most common blood type, can help anyone with a positive blood type.
Blood Helps Even the Littlest of Patients
November is also National Prematurity Awareness Month. Premature infants commonly have anemia and need blood transfusions to help them thrive. The National Institutes of Health cites more than 80% of extremely preterm infants need at least one transfusion in their first month.
Vitalant is thanking donors in November with a chance to win one of two $10,000 prepaid gift cards in the Shopping Spree Giveaway.
Learn more and make an appointment to give by visiting vitalant.org, download the Vitalant app or call 877-25-VITAL (877-258-4825).
Upcoming Blood Drives in Contra Costa County
November 4, Tuesday – Walnut Creek, Mt. Diablo Unitarian Universalist Church, 10:00 AM – 2:30 PM
November 11, Tuesday – Pleasant Hill, Stokley Properties, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
November 12, Wednesday – Martinez, Alhambra High School, 9:00 AM – 1:30 PM
November 19, Wednesday – Antioch, Kaiser Sand Creek, 9:00 AM – 1:15 PM
November 22, Saturday – El Cerrito, Sycamore Christian Preschool, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
These are just a few of the nearly 100 community blood drives being held in November. Donors can also give at any of the six Vitalant donation centers in the area.
About Vitalant
Vitalant (Vye-TAL-ent) is one of the nation’s largest nonprofit blood and biotherapies healthcare organizations, providing hospitals and patients across the U.S. a safe blood supply, specialized laboratory services, transfusion medicine expertise and world-renowned research. Individuals generously donating blood, volunteering and giving financially are essential to our lifesaving mission. Learn more at vitalant.org.
Photo: City of Pinole
By City of Pinole
The City of Pinole has officially earned the unique designation as an official “Clean California Community” from Caltrans’ Clean CA initiative. This makes Pinole one of 30 communities to earn the designation so far in the state.
This designation reflects the City of Pinole’s role as a leader in California’s Zero Litter movement to reduce litter and keep all parts of the state as clean, healthy and beautiful as possible. Proving its leadership over the last few years, Pinole rallied more than 250 volunteers and neighbors to implement an array of long-term, zero-litter policies in support of litter prevention, beautification, and environmental enhancement. As a result, over 3,000 pounds of trash and recyclables have been removed from the Pinole Creek watershed and surrounding areas.
Mayor Cameron Sasai stated: “We are proud that Pinole is among the first cities to earn the Clean California Designation — a direct result of our community’s collective efforts to keep our city clean. This designation is the start of a partnership with the State of California that opens the door to new resources that will expand beautification, tackle litter, and build a vibrant Pinole that we can all be proud of.”
The Clean California Community Designation Program is part of Governor Gavin Newsom’s $1.2 billion Clean California initiative, which was launched in 2021 by Caltrans to clean up, reclaim, transform, and beautify public spaces statewide. The program was developed in partnership with Caltrans, Keep America Beautiful and Keep California Beautiful.
To earn the Clean California designation, the City of Pinole completed at least 10 of 15 criteria to clean up and beautify Pinole, including Litter Assessment and Measurement, and Enforcement. Earlier this year, Pinole enacted a new ordinance which eliminates single-use plastics in retail and food services, underscoring its commitment to protect the environment and the community’s health.
In recognition of their dedication to a cleaner community, Pinole will receive “Clean California Community” signage, educational resources, automatic membership with Keep California Beautiful, and statewide recognition.
The City of Pinole encourages other communities throughout California to join the program and continue to clean up and transform California. For more information about the program and to take the pledge, visit CleanCA.com/Designation.
For more upcoming cleanup events and activities from the City of Pinole, please visit Pinole.gov/calendar/.
Help protect Grayson Creek and improve habitat for birds, turtles, otters, and other riparian species!
Please join The Watershed Project, the Contra Costa Resource Conservation District and volunteers from Friends of Pleasant Hill Creeks for a creek cleanup and wildlife observation event.
Grayson Creek is home to more than 100 bird species and also provides habitat for river otters, western pond turtles, and even beavers! Help protect this important community resource by removing trash from the creek banks.
Date: Saturday, October 18 · 9am – 12pm PDT
Event location: Driveway north of 250 Cleaveland Road, Pleasant Hill.
Age Restriction: Volunteers must be at least 16 years old. All volunteers under 18 years old must have parental permission to participate or be accompanied by an adult.
-See sign-up link for details and safety information
Details, Instructions & Directions
Dress appropriately for outdoor work. Wear long sleeves and long pants, sturdy shoes, and wear sun protection (hat and/or sunscreen). All cleanup supplies, water, and light refreshments will be provided. Please bring a reusable water bottle and your own gloves if you have them.
Volunteers must be at least 16 years old. All volunteers under 18 years old must have parental permission to participate or be accompanied by an adult.
Directions to site: Use Google maps to navigate to 250 Cleaveland Road in Pleasant Hill. There is a driveway just north of there. Drive west down the driveway through the opened Flood Control District gate. Park alongside the road.
Contact Paula White paula@thewatershedproject.org for more information.
Register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/grayson-creek-cleanup-tickets-1716934951659?aff=oddtdtcreator.
By Bay Front Chamber of Commerce
Join us Sunday, October 19 from 11AM–3PM at Bayfront Blvd. in Hercules for the 2025 Bay Front Festival — a day full of community, music, and celebration!
Hosted by Bay Front Chamber and City of Hercules.
7th Annual Bay Front Run
Join us on the beautiful Bay Front trail in Hercules for the 7th Annual Bay Front Run to support our local schools.
5K, 10K & 1 Mile Run/Walk and Kids Fun Run. All participants in person & virtual registered by 9/20 will receive an event t-shirt. The first 300 to register will receive a finisher medal. The race will begin and end at Bayfront Blvd. in Hercules. Run along the Bay Front Trail where you can expect beautiful views and a gentle breeze.
Every step you take helps build a brighter future for our students.
Register now: bayfrontrun.com
Come for the run, stay for the fun! The Bay Front Festival will follow directly after the run.
RACE TIMES
8:30 am 5K, 10K & 1 Mile
10:30 am Kids Fun Run (ages 3-6)
Kids Fun Run (ages 7-10)
Race Course: The race begins at Sanderling & Bayfront, it runs along Bayfront Blvd to the Bay Trail entrance at John Muir Pkwy. the run continues along the Bay Trail thru Hercules to Rodeo. The turn -about is at the end of the Bay Trail in Rodeo. Those doing a 10K will do a double loop.
Timing: 5K & 10K Run will be chip timed/scored and results will be posted after the event. Bib must be worn to be timed/scored.
5K & 10K Awards: Top Female & Male
Parking: on Bayfront Blvd. from Railroad to Promenade & on John Muir Parkway
PACKET PICKUP
EARLY PACKET PICKUP
Saturday, 10/18 – 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
The Dylan Apartments (formally The Grand)
2200 John Muir Parkway, Hercules
REGISTRATIONS WILL ALSO BE TAKEN DURING EARLY PACKET PICK UP
PACKET PICK UP AND LAST DAY (race day) REGISTRATION
Sunday, 10/19 at Sanderling & Bayfront Blvd., Hercules
5K, 10K & 1 Mile 7:30 a.m. – 8:15 a.m.
Kids Fun Run 9:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. (Ages 3 – 10)
ENTRY FEES
5K, 10K & 1 Mile Run/Walk $35 – In Person ~ $35 – Virtual
Kid Fun Run $15 – In Person
The first 325 to register will receive a Finisher Medal.
Registration fees are non-refundable but can be transferred to another individual.
For more information about the Bay Front Chamber of Commerce visit http://www.bayfrontchamber.com.
By City of San Pablo
We hope you can join Saturday! Join Kids for the Bay & the City of San Pablo for the 31st Annual Wildcat Creek Cleanup!
This family-friendly event welcomes all ages to help care for our creek and community. Snacks, water, and cleanup supplies will be provided. Please remember to wear closed-toe shoes and bring your community spirit! We’ll see you there, rain or shine.
Únete a Kids for the Bay y a la Ciudad de San Pablo para la 31ª Limpieza Anual de Wildcat Creek
Este evento familiar da la bienvenida a todas las edades para ayudar a cuidar nuestro arroyo y nuestra comunidad. Se proporcionarán bocadillos, agua y suministros de limpieza. Por favor recuerde usar zapatos cerrados y traer su espíritu comunitario. ¡Nos vemos allí, llueva o truene! #WildcatCreekCleanup #SanPabloShines #SanPabloBrilla
By Con Fire
Join us this Saturday for the Contra Costa Fire Open House and Pancake Breakfast!
Date: Saturday, October 11, 2025
Time: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Location: 2945 Treat Blvd, Concord
FREE Pancake Breakfast!
Join us for a fun and educational day featuring live demonstrations, including fire extinguisher training, drone operations, auto extrication, roof ventilation, and rappelling.
You’ll also have the chance to meet our firefighters, recruitment team, and dispatchers, and explore fire engines, trucks, ambulances, rescue boats, and more!