Contra Costa Herald

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

“Let’s Go Country” at the 2025 Contra Costa County Fair in Antioch May 15-18

By Leave a Comment

Miss Contra Costa County Fair to be chosen Thursday, May 17

Discounted Presale Tickets & Carnival Unlimited Ride Wristband pass on sale now

Fair Hours: 12:00 Noon-9:30pm Daily. (Gates Close at 9pm)

Midway of Fun Carnival Hours: Noon-10pm Daily except Saturday, Noon-11pm (Carnival will remain open after Fair Gates Close)

SPECIAL DAYS

Dollar Day – Thursday, May 15 at Noon – $1 Admission until 5pm Buy 1 Carnival Ride Wristband get 1 FREE until 6pm (Riders must be present at time of wristband purchase)

Senior Day – Friday, May 16 – $1 Admission for Seniors 62+.

Military & Law Enforcement Day – Saturday, May 17 – Military/Law Enforcement and their families with active ID will receive FREE Admission.

Fiesta Day – Sunday, May 18 – Hispanic Themed Stage and Grounds Entertainment.

See complete schedule of daily events.

SPECIAL EVENT

Miss Contra Costa County Fair Queen Pageant at 5PM – Estrella Pavilion Stage – Come watch and support these local girls competing for the title of Miss Contra Costa County Fair.

DAILY ATTRACTIONS

Barnyard Bash – Get ready to go Hog-Wild with this interactive music and dance, audience participation Hoe-Down stage show. Daily Performance 1:30pm, 3:30pm, & 5:30pm.

BC Characters – Keep your eye pealed for these fun and furry characters.

Camel Rides – Feeling a little adventurous, here is your chance to take a ride on a camel.

Chicken Rider – Be on the lookout for the Chicken Rider and his chicken, Salt & Pepper.

Cowgirl Tricks – Cowgirl Tricks is a tongue-in-cheek vaudeville-style comedic bonanza of trick roping, whip cracking, music, magic, audience participation and lots of kooky cowgirl shenanigans. Performing daily on the Estrella Pavilion State, 12:30pm, 2pm and 3:30pm, May 15 – 17.

Daily Parade – 5PM on the Midway

Fables of the West – Look out for these two just horsing around.

Little Rascals Kids Club – FREE interactive, hands-on kid’s activity zone, where parents can relax and let their kids be kids in this fun activity area.

Paradise Roller Skating Academy – Demonstrations Watch as some of these skaters show you their amazing Roller-Skating talents. Demonstrations Thursday, May 15th at 6pm, and Saturday, May 17th at 2pm in Paradise Skate Roller Rink.

Petting Zoo – Here is your opportunity to get up close and personable with all kinds of fun furry creatures.

Pony Rides – Be a Cowboy or Cowgirl and ride the ponies.

Roaming Railroad – Take a ride on this Fun Little Train.

Sarah Nep Cheese Carver – Watch as Sarah turns a block of cheese into a fabulous work of art. Daily demonstrations from 1pm to 6pm in the Arts Pavilion.

Wiener Dog Stampede – Come out and support local contestants and their Wiener Dogs compete for Grand Champion in the Wiener Dog Stampede. Saturday May 17th at 3pm.

Wooden Creations – Chainsaw Carving Demonstrations – Watch these chainsaw artists work their magic and turn a log into a work of art. Fairgoers will have the opportunity to purchase Chainsaw Carvings. Daily Demonstrations 2pm, 4pm, & 6pm.

Xtreme Sports Zone – A thrill for everyone young and old. Bungee, Rock Wall, Water Balls and more.

EXHIBITS

Agriculture Pavilion

Arts Pavilion

Fur & Feathers Pavilion

Livestock Pavilion (Closed Sunday, May 18th)

Home Arts, Fine Arts, Photography, Agriculture Exhibits, Floriculture, Horticulture, Ag Mechanics, Industrial Technology & Science. – Take a look at what the talented local community artists have created, from youth home arts to adult fine art and photography, as well as agriculture and horticulture exhibits and displays.

LIVESTOCK COMPETITIONS & AUCTIONS – Livestock Show Ring

Daily Goat Show followed by All Other Breeding Goat Show – 5:00PM

Boer Goat Show followed by Sheep Show – Friday, May 16, 4PM

Swine Show – Saturday, May 17, 8AM

Small Stock Master Showmanship – Saturday, May 17, 4PM

Large Livestock Showmanship – Saturday, May 17, 7PM

Junior Livestock Auction – Sunday, May 18, 9AM

LIVE MUSIC – Headliners

Gotcha Country is the band that can keep you “Boot Scootin” all night long! Daily shows are at 4pm, 6pm and 8pm – PG&E Midway Stage.

You Should Be Dancing – A Tribute to the Bee Gees – The San Francisco Bay Area’s premiere Bee Gees Tribute band. Experience non-stop dancing, soaring falsettos, and the most beautiful ballads of all time. Friday 7:30pm – Estrella Pavilion Stage.

Patton Leatha – Making Music that moves your mind body and Soul. Saturday 5:30pm & 7pm – Estrella Pavilion Stage.

Night Owls – Top 40 Cover Band, based out of San Francisco Saturday 8:30pm & 10pm – Estrella Pavilion Stage.

Sunday Hispanic Themed Entertainment to include: DJ Winners, Banda Katana, El Rifle, Komando De La Siera

MIDWAY OF FUN CARNIVAL

Brass Ring Amusements Midway of Fun is a family owned and operated carnival business which has served the California fair circuit since 1991. From the Ferris Wheel to the Zipper and the Merry Go Round to the Viper there is something for all ages to enjoy at the Midway of Fun Carnival. Don’t forget to try your luck at one of the fun carnival games.

ANTIOCH SPEEDWAY – Saturday Night Races

Get your adrenalin pumping as you prepare for racing action, Saturday, May 17th. Watch IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Sport Modifieds, IMCA Stock Cars, Pacific Coast Hobby Stocks, Mini Stocks & Figure 8. Gates open at 4pm. Racing starts at 5:30pm. Separate Ticket required for Races, visit www.antiochspeedway.com for details.

Tickets & More Info

Ticket Prices: Kids 5 and under FREE Youth 6 – 12, $9 at the Fair, $7 presale

Seniors 62 & Over, $9 at the Fair, $7 presale

Adults, $14 at the Fair, $10 presale

Youth Season Pass – $25

Adult Season Pass – $35

Unlimited Carnival Ride Wristbands at the Fair $40, presale $35 Daily

Parking – $10

Season Parking Pass Livestock Lot – $35

Livestock Exhibitor Carnival Wristband – $99

To buy tickets and for more information visit contracostafair.com or call (925) 757-4400.

Chaperone Policy

The safety of our guests is of the utmost importance to the Fair. To improve this safety the Contra Costa County Fair Board of Directors adopted and implemented a Chaperone Policy for the 2024 Fair and will continue the policy for the 2025 Fair.

All youth under the age of eighteen (18) are required to be accompanied by a parent/guardian (adult – age 25+) to be admitted into the Contra Costa County Fair. Any person entering may be asked to show a valid California Driver License or Identification Card or other government-issued ID. Each adult can only chaperone 4 youths at a time. Groups larger than 4 youths require an additional chaperone for every 4 youths. The chaperone (parent/adult) are required to remain on the facility with the youth during their time at the Fair. The youth must provide a telephone number of the attending parent/adult to a Fair Security representative upon request. Any and all misbehaving youth will be held and released to their chaperone (parent/adult). Any youth under the age of eighteen (18) not accompanied by an adult will not be admitted.

Location

The 2025 Contra Costa County Fair at the Contra Costa Event Park, 1201 W. 10th Street in Antioch. Parking off L Street and O Street entrances.

Source: CCCFair

Source: CCCFair

Opinion – The National Mesothelioma Registry: Addressing misdiagnosis and its impact on California’s veterans

By Leave a Comment

Source: Asbestos.com

In Contra Costa County 1,198 asbestos-related deaths were reported from 1999 and 2017 at a rate of 63 deaths per year.

By Jonathan Sharp, Environmental Litigation Group, P.C.

Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer triggered by exposure to asbestos. Each year, around 3,000 diagnoses are made in America, from which 900 are discovered in veteran populations. Exposure in this population occurred while serving in the army, as the military used asbestos across facilities as an insulator and fireproof material. Other cases similarly link directly to professional exposure because asbestos was used for decades in many industries, from the 1960s up until the 1990s, when its harmful effects were fully documented.

As the condition is rare, research progress to improve diagnosis and treatment is slow. It has been estimated that errors in diagnosing mesothelioma span between 14% and over 80%, where this condition is confused with other lung cancers or pneumonia. As a result, there are substantial delays in treatment, and mesothelioma is allowed to spread.

To address the high rates of misdiagnosis for mesothelioma, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) proposed in 2019 the development of a shared database for all identified cases. This database is the National Mesothelioma Registry, and among its proposals is the use of a case-finding methodology, where populations at risk would receive periodic screening. The national registry would also function as a common database where researchers could get early access to diagnosed patients, expanding the available population pool for clinical trials that could improve current treatments and diagnosis procedures.

How Misdiagnosis Can Impact Claims
Over 80% of all mesothelioma cases can be traced back to professional exposure, while only around 12% can be attributed to a genetic mutation. Subsequently, the vast majority of people developing mesothelioma are entitled to claims, either from the government or from companies that did not offer sufficient protection to their workers while handling asbestos.

However, getting these claims can be a real struggle. The condition has a high mortality rate and short survival period, not only due to the aggressiveness of this cancer but also because of significantly high rates of misdiagnosis.

To date, claims are granted for veterans under the PACT Act following evaluation by a health commission. The commission’s analysis process can take up to four and a half months. Survival rates for pleural mesothelioma, which is the most aggressive and common form of this cancer, rarely expand past the one-year mark. For veterans, this means that accessing the healthcare benefits they need to improve care and their quality of life may come too late. For other professional categories, lengthy lawsuits can mean the same thing: healthcare and financial support that comes in too late.

Mesothelioma Epidemiology in Contra Costa County, California
California has one of the highest rates of mesothelioma and asbestos-related deaths in the country. As a natural material, asbestos was intensely mined across the state, hence resulting in an increased risk for local populations. Veterans were impacted the most, especially in coastal states, such as California, where the U.S. Navy used asbestos extensively for shipbuilding and insulation. These jobs were performed by soldiers with little to no protective equipment, albeit at the time, there was sufficient data the Navy was aware of to indicate that asbestos had a strong carcinogenic potential.

Data on asbestos mortality rates in the state indicate that between 1999 and 2017, a total of 27,080 asbestos-related deaths were recorded, of which 5,100 occurred due to mesothelioma. More recent data indicates that between 2015 and 2019, 317 died because of mesothelioma in California. In Contra Costa County, 1,198 asbestos-related deaths were reported, at a rate of 63 deaths per year.

With such high mortality rates, asbestos is considered an important public health issue in California. This state banned paintings and interior materials containing asbestos as early as 1977. Other asbestos products were banned, and asbestos mines were closed in 2002. However, since mesothelioma emerges decades after exposure, cases are very likely to continue being identified across the state.

Improving Diagnosis and Access to Claims for Veterans
Veterans can file for benefits under the PACT Act and have their documents analyzed by a health commission. Notably, this analysis can take a significantly long time. With a late diagnosis, waiting so long may not be an option for many. Nonetheless, the National Mesothelioma Registry has the potential to change this.

With more research and development on mesothelioma, veterans may be able to receive a diagnosis much sooner and initiate the benefits claim faster. This will not only speed up access to medical resources but would also ensure that each veteran would get a chance at an extended life expectancy resulting from an early diagnosis and intervention.

About the Author
Jonathan Sharp is the CFO of the Environmental Litigation Group, P.C., conducting asset oversight, financial analysis, and case evaluations for victims of toxic exposure.

 

The Raley’s Companies honor veterans, first responders with new discount program

By Leave a Comment

Military & First Responder Discount Days: 10% Off Your Groceries

Regional, family-owned grocery retailer offers 10% off the first Tuesday of each month and designated holidays throughout the year for service members and first responders

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif., Aug. 6, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — As part of its long-standing commitment to give back to the communities it serves, The Raley’s Companies announces a new 10% discount program for retired and active-duty military, first responders, and their families. Starting today, the discount is available for in-store and on-line purchases the first Tuesday of each month, as well as on Memorial Day, July 4th and Veterans Day.

Military & First Responder Discount Days: 10% Off Your Groceries – First Tuesday of Every Month, Memorial Day, 4th of July & Veterans Day

“We are truly humbled by the dedication of our nation’s military and first responders,” said Keith Knopf, President & Chief Executive Officer for The Raley’s Companies. “While we could never repay the selfless work of these brave and patriotic individuals, we wish to honor their service and share our gratitude for all they do — and have done.”

Growing from a single store opening in 1935, The Raley’s Companies now includes brick and mortar locations under Raley’s and Bashas’ family of brands, including: Raley’s, Bel Air, Nob Hill, Raley’s ONE Market, Bashas,’ Food City, AJ’s Fine Foods, and Bashas’ Diné Markets. The new discount program is available at all brand stores.

The military discount applies to active-duty military, retired military, veterans, and their household family members. The first responders discount applies to active firefighters and wildland firefighters including California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management, New Mexico Forestry Division, U.S. Forest Services, National Park Services, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Indian Affairs, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services, police officers, sheriffs, paramedics, EMTs and their household family members. Members of these groups need to show their military ID or Veterans identification card. If the individual is a member of Something Extra or the Bashas’ Thank You Program, the discount will activate once the military member enters their loyalty number (after the first time).

In addition to the military and first responders new discount program, The Raley’s Companies are deeply committed to giving back by addressing local hunger needs, advocating for good, and focusing on child welfare, the environment and sustainability, food access, food system education, and total wellness. Between 2022 and 2023, the organization donated more than $3 million to local and regional non-profits.

For more information about the program, please visit raleys.com/discountdays to learn more.

About The Raley’s Companies

The Raley’s Companies is a private, family-owned and purpose-driven retail company headquartered in West Sacramento, CA. Since our founding in 1935, our store operations have grown to include more than 235 locations across eight states and four Tribal Nations under 10 well-known banners: Raley’s, Bel Air, Nob Hill Foods, Raley’s O-N-E Market, Bashas’, Bashas’ Diné, Food City, AJ’s Fine Foods, Full Circle, and Farm Fresh To You. In addition, The Raley’s Companies bridges the divide between the physical and digital retail experiences through the operation of Apium Logistics, Fieldera and fieldTRUE. Built on a higher purpose, the organization and our more than 21,000 employees are committed to quality offerings, exceptional service and doing right by our team members, communities and planet. To learn more, visit theraleyscompanies.com.

 

Veterans’ Voices show will discuss health care eligibility for veterans with toxic exposures

By Leave a Comment

 

On Monday, Jan. 8, at 7 p.m. (Pacific Time) the Veterans’ Voices show will host a live panel of experts to discuss the impact of the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act on the Veterans community. The PACT Act is perhaps the largest health care and benefit expansion in history and focuses on health care eligibility for Veterans with toxic exposures.

Guests will include Nevada County Veterans Service Officer David West and San Luis Obispo County Veterans Service Officer Morgan Boyd. Legal Expert and Veterans’ Advocate Jim Radogna will also appear. The live panel will answer viewer questions and help navigate Veterans through the important aspects of this groundbreaking legislation.

Viewers can share their own experiences or ask questions by calling the program at 925-313-1170. They can also use the phone number to record a message for the panel at any time prior to the show. Leave questions and comments at facebook.com/veteransvoices1 or email veteransvoices@contracostatv.org prior to or during the live television show.  You can also view the show live via Zoom webinar; go to Zoom and use the Webinar ID 813 7282 1444.

The Veterans’ Voices program is broadcast live on Contra Costa Television (CCTV) on the second Monday of every month at 7 p.m. It can be seen live online at facebook.com/veteransvoices1. You can find an archive of past shows and show resources at https://contracosta.ca.gov/5163/Veterans-Voices or on our YouTube channel Veterans’ Voices of Contra Costa. The show is re-run multiple times on CCTV on Comcast Channel 27, Astound Channels 32 and 1027, and AT&T U-Verse Channel 99.

 

Contra Costa Supervisors to recognize 50th Anniversary of end of Vietnam War Tuesday, Nov. 7

By Leave a Comment

During Annual Veterans Day Celebration

By Contra Costa County District 3 Supervisor Diane Burgis

Contra Costa County’s Board of Supervisors honors Veterans & their families at the Annual Veterans Day Celebration on Tuesday, November 7, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. in the Board Chambers at 1025 Escobar Street, Martinez.

This year, the ceremony will feature a special recognition for the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War.

Watch online at www.contracostatv.org. The celebration will broadcast live on Contra Costa Television channels: Comcast Channel 27, AT&T U-Verse Channel 99, and Astound Channels 32 and 1027.

 

Kick-off for Homes for Our Troops custom home in Byron Oct. 7

By Leave a Comment

Benefiting Byron Marine

By Office of District 3 Contra Costa County Supervisor Diane Burgis

Please join Homes for Our Troops to kick off the building of a specially adapted custom home for Marine Sgt. Kyle Garcia in Byron.

Homes for Our Troops is a privately funded 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization that builds and donates specially adapted, custom homes nationwide for severely injured post 9/11 Veterans.

They are building a home in Byron for Marine Sgt. Kyle Garcia. He joined the Marines shortly after high school, serving two tours in Iraq in 2007 and 2009. He deployed a third time to Afghanistan in 2011, as a scout sniper with the 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines. Then, on Nov. 7, 2011, Sgt. Garcia was on a foot patrol in Sangin, Afghanistan, when he stepped on an improvised explosive device (IED). He immediately lost his left leg in the blast and sustained severe damage to his right leg. If you would like to learn more about him, please visit this link: https://www.hfotusa.org/kgarcia/

Date: Saturday, October 7, 2023

Time: Check-in begins at 9:30 am. Event begins at 10:00 am.

Location: Delta Community Presbyterian Church. 1900 Willow Lake Road, Discovery Bay

Ceremony will be followed by a light lunch and an opportunity to meet Sgt. Garcia.

Event volunteers needed! For more information or to get involved, please contact Jocelyn Phipps, Community Engagement Director at jphipps@hfotusa.org or 508-789-3501

 

Volunteers needed for Stand Down on the Delta in Antioch Sept. 8-11

By 4 Comments

Delta Veterans Group to serve homeless and other military veterans, members of the public

By J.R. Wilson, Founder/ President, Delta Veterans Group

The next Stand Down on the Delta will be held in September 8-11, 2023, at the Contra Costa Event Park (fairgrounds) located in Antioch, CA presented by Delta Veterans Group (DVG).

DVG was proud to bring the first homeless and at-risk of becoming homeless veteran “Stand Down on the Delta” of its kind to Contra Costa County in September 2015. Stand Down on the Delta was a four-day, three-night event in which veterans were provided full medical treatments, court and legal services, DMV, chaplain services, housing, addiction and mental health counseling, employment and a myriad of other community services. During the event, veterans were also provided with clothing, meals, showers, sleeping tents, live entertainment and a safe place to “stand down” for the duration.

We will do the same for our veterans, this year as well.

Volunteers are needed to help serve our military veterans because VETERANS SERVED THEIR COUNTRY AND VETERANS SERVE THEIR COMMUNITIES!

Most services on Saturday, Sept. 9 will be open to the general public. You do not need to be a veteran to receive services that day.

Veterans and volunteers can register and obtain more information by visiting www.deltaveteransgroup.org.

Delta Veterans Group is comprised of both veteran and civilian volunteers who wish to serve veterans in their community. We strive to bring our veterans the four pillars of success – Housing, Employment, Health and Education – one which will not work without the other three. Through the four pillars of success as a veteran myself, I was able to find peace and balance in my life, and a chance to bring about positive changes for veterans in our community. Our goal is simple – to bring together all of the Veteran Service Organizations in our communities and champion support for our nation’s finest men and women veterans.

Delta Veterans Group 501(c)3 was founded in Contra Costa County in 2012 by Army veteran J.R. Wilson, DVG has now grown to provide services to surrounding Northern California areas including Alameda, Monterey, Napa, San Joaquin, San Francisco, and Solano counties.