Happy Friday,

A day late, but better late than never. Seems like Sacramento lawmakers are just dropping bill after bill this week. Weekend has rain which has prompted some events to move to March 2 --such as the Marks Blvd in downtown Brentwood. 

CANCELLED: Closure of southbound I-680 in Pleasanton between the I-580/I-680 connector and Koopman Rd President’s Day weekend, Feb. 16-20, IS CANCELLED due to predicted rain.

Event Announced: Contra Costa Winegrowers Announce Spring Wine Tasting Trolley Tour

Also... 2024 ad rates are now available (*wink *wink) )... kidding. If interested, just reach out as static ads and social media ads and content options are all available.

Events & Music This Week

Thursday, Feb 15

• 5:00 pm: Antioch Food Truck Thursdays

Friday, Feb 16

• 5:30 pm – Taylor Brothers at Slow Hand BBQ (Martinez)
• 6:00 pm – Brian Andres at Del Ciello Brewing (Martinez)
• 6:00 pm – Sin Silver at Slow Hand BBQ (Pleasant Hill)
• 7:00 pm – Los De Califas/Banda Norteno at Monicas Riverview (Antioch)
• 7:00  pm – The Floorshakers at Wisegirl (Pleasant Hill
• 7:00 pm - Brentwood Co Co County Wine Company Live Music
• 7:00 pm – Salvage Title at PTK Band at Retro Junkie (Walnut Creek)

Saturday, Feb 17

• 8:00 am - Contra Costa Farmers Markets (multiple locations)
• 10:00 am: Antioch Lapidary Club Jewelry, Gem & Rock Show
• 4:00 pm – Old School Soul & R&B at Monicas Riverview (Antioch)
• 4:30 pm: Lodi Italian Club Crab Feed
• 5:30 pm – Scott Bell at Slow Hand BBQ (Martinez)
• 6:00 pm – Foam Riders at Del Ciello Brewing (Martinez) 
• 6:00 pm – All and the Crisis Ruin at Slow Hand (Pleasant Hill)
• 5:00 pm: Brentwood Chamber 2023 Gala
• 5:00 pm: Bay Area Crisis Nursery’s Annual Crab Feed
• 6:00 pm: PAINT AND SIP at Dale' Vino (Pittsburg)
• 6:00 pm: Five Suns Brewing Craft & Crab Feed
• 7:00 pm: Alexander String Quartet (Berkeley) 
• 7:00 pm – Michael Roy & Piano at WTF Restaurant (Oakley)
• 7:00 pm – New Frantics at Wisegirl (Pleasant Hill) 
• 7:00 pm – Shine Delirious & Pinball at Retro Junkie (Walnut Creek)
• 8:00 pm – Brentwood CoCo Wine Live Music 
• 8:00 pm: Tony Danza “Standards and Stories” at California Theatre Pittsburg
• 9:00 pm: Dan’s Irish Bar Presents Severe Thrill

Sunday, Feb 18

• 8:00 am: Contra Costa Farmers Markets (multiple locations)
• 10:00 am: Antioch Lapidary Club Jewelry, Gem & Rock Show
• 2:00 pm: BLACK HISTORY MONTH DAY PARTY FT. AMOY WINES & DJ ROB at Dale Vino (Pittsburg)
• 2:00 pm: Lunar New Year Celebration at Bishop Ranch (San Ramon)

Events Further Out

• Feb 24 - Heart to Heart Benefit – Elderly Wish Foundation
• March 22 - Antioch Chamber of Commerce Gala
• March 30 - Kiwanis Club of the Delta-Antioch Annual Tri Tip Dinner

Full Event Calendar -- click here

News Recap

If you want the news, visit www.contracosta.news 

Podcasts

• Feb 13 - Sarah Christine of California Gleamin
• Feb 9 – Wanda Wallis Runs for State Assembly District 11
• Feb 7 – Vivian Shares her Boondoggies Journey
• Feb 6 – Karen Mitchoff Runs for California State Assembly
• Feb 5 – Mike Barbanica Runs for Contra Costa County Board of Supervisor
• Feb 1 – Jelani Killings Runs for Contra Costa County Board of Supervisor
• Jan 23 – Dirk Zeigler On Why California Insurance Rates Are Skyrocketing
• Jan 16 – Sean McCauley Gives Project Status Updates and More
• Dec 5 – The Speakeasy Baking Co Heads to Food Network
• Nov 13 – Podcast: Oakley Chamber of Commerce Relaunched
• Nov 8 – Podcast: Too Much Bad Real Estate Advice
• Oct 30 – Podcast: Goodbye WTF California and Hello Contra Costa News

Contra Costa County

• California HSl Wins 7th Consecutive Contra Costa County Mock Trial Title
• Pinole Valley HS Senior Named 2024 Contra Costa County Poetry Out Loud Winner
• County Office of Education Releases 2022-2023 Annual Report
• Contra Costa Shark Tank Youth Competition 2024 Winners Announced
• Burgis: Storm Causes Damage to Dock at Anchor Marina

Antioch

• Antioch School District Names Nicole Vicknair as Teacher of the Year
• Two Arrested in Connection With January Homicide in Antioch
• Antioch City Council Heckler Arrested
• Firefighters Respond to 150 Gallon Oil Spill in Antioch
• Antioch Set to Award Civic Enhancement Grants
• East Bay Drug Suppliers Convicted After Wiretap Investigation
• Antioch Set to Make Appointments to Police Oversight Commission
• Mayor Signs Pledge Towards a Fossil-Free Antioch

Brentwood

• Brentwood Agrees to Move Forward With Juneteenth Event
• Brentwood Union School District Employees Honored
• Brentwood City Manager Gives Update on Several Key Items
• Brentwood Decides Not to Bring Back Virtual Public Comments
• Pittsburg Woman Arrested in Brentwood for Shoplifting
• Updated: 2 Dead in Saturday Morning Highway 4 Crash in Brentwood

Concord

• Concord City Council Votes to Introduce Ordinance on Rent Stabilization, Just Cause
• City of Concord Publishes Homeless Strategic Plan
• Suspect Arrested in Concord for Threatening a City of Berkeley Employee
• Applications Open for Concord Community Academy

Lafayette

• CHP Says 1 Dead in Solo Vehicle Crash on SR-24 near Lafayette
• John McCormick Appointed to Lafayette City Council

Martinez

• Martinez Refinery Releases Coke Dust by Accident on Saturday
• Intermittent Flaring Expected at the Martinez Refinery

Oakley

• Oakley City Council to Talk Censures and Expression of Opinions

Pittsburg

• Pittsburg Announces Facade Improvement Grant Program
• Supervisor Glover Announces Grant Writing Proposal Workshop

Pleasant Hill

• Pleasant Hill Police Chief Issues Statement on Recent Murder
• Pleasant Hill Recreation & Park District Mourns Death of Facility Maintenance Employee
• Pleasant Hill Police Investigating Homicide on Gregory Lane

Richmond

• AG Announces Seizure of Hundreds of Weapons in Richmond

Walnut Creek

• Animal Rescue Foundation is now Joybound
• Walnut Creek Arts & Rec Plans ‘Love for the Arts’ Events in February

California News (this section could have bee 100+ deep)

• Bill Keeps Bridge Crossings In California Free for Pedestrians and Bicyclists
• Bill Would Prevent Unlawful Voter ID Requirements
• Hoover and Patterson Introduce “Beyond Housing” Measure to Address Homelessness
• Bill Seeks to Compassionately Clear Homeless Encampments
• Evan Low Introduces Bill to Prosecute Package Thieves
• Bill Would Double Penalties for Protestors Blocking Highways
• Lee Introduces Bill to Create Social Housing in California
• Governor Shares Details of CHP Surge in Oakland and East Bay
• Bill Would to Require Reusable Cups at Dine-In Chain Restaurants
• Bill Seeks to Eliminate Bias in AI Decision-making
• Assemblyman Joe Patterson Takes Aim at Reducing Mass Shootings
• Senator Portantino Reintroduces Striking Worker Bill
• Legislation Seeks to Reduce Black Maternal Mortality Through Implicit Bias Training
• Sanchez Introduces Bill to End Sanctuary State Protections for Felony Fentanyl Dealers
• California Assembly Announces Committee to Address State’s Struggling Downtowns
• San Jose and San Francisco Mayors Support Prop 47 Reform
• Bill Would Ban All Plastic Shopping Bags at California Grocery Stores
• Assemblyman Patterson Introduces Legislation to Cut Electric Rates by 30%
• Bill to Allow Therapeutic Use of Psychedelics Reintroduced
• Bill Would Guarantee Access to Computer Science for All California Students

Thanks again for all the support,

Mike B.

[email protected]