WALNUT CREEK
U.S. Rep. Mark DeSaulnier, D-Walnut Creek, has announced Northgate High School junior Eirene Acosta as the winner of the 2021 Congressional Art Competition for California’s 11th Congressional District for her digital drawing “Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder.”
Her artwork will be sent to Washington, DC to be displayed in the U.S. Capitol.“Every year, the creativity of so many young artists throughout Contra Costa stands out in the submissions we receive for the Congressional Art Competition. The talent and imagination of our community is inspiring,” said DeSaulnier. “Congratulations to Eirene for winning this year’s competition, and I look forward to seeing her piece showcased in the U.S. Capitol.”
Monte Vista High School freshman Menglin Cai received runner-up honors for her untitled oil painting, and Carondelet High School sophomore Kaitlyn Yasumura received second runner-up honors for her piece “Mr. Brocklehurst.” These works will be displayed in DeSaulnier’s Walnut Creek and Richmond offices.
A total of 29 works of art were submitted from throughout California’s 11th Congressional District and were judged virtually by Sarah Lee and Lucy Snow of the Los Medanos College Art Department; Toru Sugita, a professor of art, drawing and printmaking and the Art Department’s chair at Diablo Valley College; and Anne Austin-Pinata, the San Pablo Art Gallery’s curator.
Since 1982, more 650,000 high school students from across the nation have participated in the Congressional Art Competition, which has allowed young constituents to showcase their artistic talent and be recognized by their Representatives and communities. The winning piece from California’s 11th District, along with those from all 50 states, will be displayed in the United States Capitol Building for the next year.
— U.S. Rep. DeSaulnier’s office
BRENTWOOD
City officials plan to resume July Fourth parade this year
The fourth annual Brentwood Classic Fourth of July parade, hosted by the Brentwood Parks and Recreation Department, is back on tap this year.
The parade, which features local organizations, clubs and community groups showing their pride and dedication to the community, will begin at 9:30 a.m. July 4 on the corner of First and Birch streets. The parade will travel down First Street, turning right onto Oak Street and will conclude at the corner of Oak and Third streets. Local health orders will be in place, which may include social distancing and mask wearing.
Parade applications are available through June 25 at bit.ly/brentwood4th2021. Registration is free. Three separate judging areas will be set up along the parade route, where groups can stop and perform. Due to increased safety measures, the Children’s Parade and the celebration in City Park will not be held this year, but attendees are encouraged to support local business after the parade ends.
OAKLEY
COVID shots to be free at school for ages 12 and older
The Oakley Union Elementary School District has teamed up with Safeway Stores and will provide a free COVID-19 vaccine clinic from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 4 in the multiuse room of O’Hara Park Middle School at 1100 OHara Ave. The event is open to anyone 12 or older who wants to get his or her first Pfizer vaccine.
— Judith Prieve, stafff
CONCORD
City relaunches gift card program for the summer season
The city of Concord and the Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce recently announced their relaunch of the Shop Concord program to support the city’s small businesses by encouraging residents to shop locally over Memorial Day weekend and throughout this summer season.
Similar to the inaugural program last November, Shop Concord has been relaunched thanks to a $10,000 contribution from the city of Concord. Customers who purchase a $50 e-gift card through Shop Concord will receive a free $25 e-gift card in return, which can be used for purchases at any participating business. Customers also have the option of purchasing a $20 e-gift card through Shop Concord and receiving a free $10 e-gift card in return. The bonus gift cards with purchase will run until the allotted $10,000 is distributed.
The e-gift cards can be purchased on the city of Concord’s Yiftee page at app.yiftee.com/gift-card/concord, which includes a list of participating merchants. There is still time for local business owners to sign up to participate in the Shop Concord program online at bayareane.ws/3fWrfse. To stay up to date on all the latest news and resources available, follow the city of Concord on LinkedIn, Facebook and @CA_Concord on Twitter.
— Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce
Applicants sought by June 11 for various city panels
At a recent meeting, the Concord City Council announced recruiting for openings on several city commissions and committees. Applications are due to the city clerk by 5 p.m. June 11. The panels with openings are listed below.
- Commission on Aging — the commission is seeking six individuals willing to serve a four-year term ending June 30, 2025.
- Community Services Commission — the Commission is seeking four individuals willing to serve a four-year term ending June 30, 2025, and one individual willing to serve the remainder of a four-year term ending June 30, 2023.
- Concord Pleasant Hill Health Care District Grant Committee — the committee is seeking three individuals willing to serve a four-year term ending June 30, 2025, and one individual willing to serve the remainder of a four-year term ending June 30, 2023.
- Parks, Recreation and Open Space Commission — the commission is seeking three individuals willing to serve a four-year term ending June 30, 2025, and two students ages 13 to 21 willing to serve as youth members for the 2021-22 school year.
- Central Contra Costa Transit Authority (CCCTA) Advisory Committee — the committee is seeking one individual willing to serve the remainder of a two-year term ending Dec. 31, 2022 (Requires a recommendation by the City Council and appointment by CCCTA Board of Directors).
Applications forms and information about the purpose and function of each of Concord’s boards and commissions are available online at cityofconcord.org/263/Boards-Commissions.
— city of Concord
LAFAYETTE
Friends Corner Book Shop hard at work during pandemic
Friends Corner Book Shop has been open only for curbside pickup during the pandemic, but the group who runs the shop, Friends of the Lafayette Library and Learning Center (FLLLC), has been hard at work. Shop volunteers have been developing an online inventory of books that will make it easier to know if a specific book is in stock and its location.
FLLLC has found that many of the shop’s books were significantly underpriced and have adjusted pricing to more closely match the value of each book individually. The shop’s prices will still be competitive with other booksellers who have a similar set-up. Proceeds from shop sales continue to support the collection, programs and services of the Lafayette Library and Learning Center. FLLLC volunteers look forward to reopening for browsing when the time is right and will communicate with the public as new information is available. Keep an eye on FLLLC’s website at lllcf.org/friends-book-shop and on social media for updates.
— FLLLC
OAKLEY
Biddy Sports returning with summer youth soccer lessons
The wait is over! The popular Biddy Sports is returning to Oakley this August with soccer. Boys and girls ages 3 to 8 years will learn the fundamentals of the sport and develop social skills in a fun, safe and family-oriented environment. The age groups have been expanded: 3 to 4, 5 to 6 and the new 7- to 8-year-old group. Biddy Soccer is a wonderful introduction to team sports in which children can participate at their own level. The younger groups will remain noncompetitive, which score introduced for the 7-8 year olds.
Each one-hour class includes a fun warm-up practice with their team and playing a game. The time may vary from week to week, but your child always plays on Saturday, for one hour finishing by noon. Parents are encouraged to coach their child’s team — no experience is needed, and all training will be provided. Please volunteer when you register. The coaches training will take place Aug. 8 in the evening. The deadline to register is July 30 with class starting Aug. 14. Registration for this program and more is available online at ci.oakley.ca.us/registration.
— city of Oakley
PITTSBURG
Center for visually impaired invites public to open house
The Lions Center for the Visually Impaired (LCVI) invites the public to a virtual open house at 2 p.m. June 17 via Zoom (with audio only). Participants will learn about the many free services available to blind and visually impaired seniors in Contra Costa, Alameda and Solano counties. Participants can meet and chat with LCVI staff and clients and will have a chance to win a free raffle prize. For more information or to register, please call LCVI toll free at 800-750-3937, email [email protected] or visit lcvi.org online.
— LCVI
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