CONCORD
U.S. Rep. Mark DeSaulnier, D-Concord, announced May 29 that he advanced 15 projects totaling more than $35 million to benefit Contra Costa and Alameda counties for consideration by the U.S. House Committee on Appropriations as part of the fiscal year 2026 appropriations process in Washington, D.C.
These projects would help to support public health and safety; transportation accessibility and community development; and environmental protection and sustainability in California’s 10th Congressional District, which includes most of in Contra Costa County and part of Alameda County’s portion of the Tri-Valley.
Each year Congress provides member-directed federal funding to a select number of community projects through the appropriations process. Under this process, each House member can submit 15 project requests on behalf of their Congressional district to the Appropriations Committee that meet the criteria set forth by the committee.
“I am proud to again advance over $35 million in funding that would directly benefit communities in Contra Costa and Alameda counties by making our roads safer and more accessible; improving our outdoor spaces; providing cost-savings and environmental benefits through sustainability; and bolstering protection from crime and natural disasters,” said DeSaulnier.
“I appreciate the effort of and collaboration with our local governments and organizations in submitting these projects, and I will continue to fight to see them through this legislative process and get the funding delivered to our district.”
For details online, visit bit.ly/3Sr7AEH.
— U.S. Rep. DeSaulnier’s office
Mount Diablo schools to serve free meals during summer
The Concord-based Mount Diablo Unified School District (MDUSD) has announced its program to serve nutritious meals to all children ages 18 or younger.
Meals will be served Monday through Friday at no cost under the Summer Seamless Meal Program. Meal Service will start Wednesday. For a list of locations and serving times visit the district’s webpage at mdusd.org/departments/business-services/food-nutrition-services. Call 925-682-8000, ext. 3775, for questions.
— MDUSD
ANTIOCH
Juneteenth celebration planned at Williamson Ranch Park
Celebrate this year’s Juneteenth with the city of Antioch. This year marks the fourth annual city-sponsored Juneteenth celebration, at which residents come together as a city to honor freedom, culture and community. “Juneteenth: A Freedom Celebration” will take place from 4 to 8 p.m. June 19 in Antioch’s Williamson Ranch Park.
This event celebrating Black culture will feature live performances, music, food, activities for kids and adults and much more. Short for June Nineteenth, Juneteenth is a holiday celebrating the 1865 emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the United States.
It marks the day when Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas to take control of the state and ensure the freedom of all remaining enslaved people. Texas became the first U.S. state to celebrate Juneteenth in 1979. Officially becoming a federal holiday in June 2021, Antioch city officials proudly present the city’s fourth annual Juneteenth event.
— city of Antioch
BRENTWOOD
Egret Park’s new play structure replaces one from 2017
The city of Brentwood held a recent ribbon cutting to celebrate the opening of a new play structure at Egret Park. City staff, councilmembers, commissioners and local families came out to mark the occasion.
Originally built in 2017, Egret Park at 580 Eileen St. has been a well-loved space. Over time, the slides and other parts of the play structure were damaged beyond repair, and with the original manufacturer no longer in business, replacement wasn’t an option.
As part of the city’s continued investment in park infrastructure, this project replaced the damaged play structures with brand-new, modern equipment designed to provide a safe and engaging environment for children of all abilities.
“With over 100 parks in the city of Brentwood, these outdoor spaces are a vital part of what makes our community so special,” said Interim City Manager Darin Gale.
“Parks like Egret provide families with places to connect, play and enjoy the outdoors together. This renovation is part of our continued commitment to ensuring safe, accessible and welcoming spaces for all residents to enjoy.”
The Egret Park play structure renovation is part of the city’s 2024-25 through 2028-29 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) and supports the City Council’s Strategic Plan Initiatives, which focus on delivering new infrastructure, enhancing existing facilities and ensuring continued investment in Brentwood’s future.
To learn more about the Capital Improvement Program, visit bit.ly/43ToxOk online.
City officials welcome residents to come celebrate this exciting milestone and experience the revitalized Egret Park play structure firsthand.
— city of Brentwood
WALNUT CREEK
Garden club’s next free monthly meeting happening June 9
The Walnut Creek Garden Club (WCGC) will hold its free monthly meeting June 9 in The Gardens at Heather Farms in Walnut Creek. Registration begins at 9:15 a.m., followed by a brief meeting, a break at 10:15AM with complimentary tea, coffee & snacks, followed by an educational program.
Hollie Lucas-Alcalay will present the program “Gardening with Medicinal Herbs.” Hollie’s Homegrown is an extension of Lucas-Alcalay’s small organic herb farm in Moraga, In her talk, she will dive into the history and importance of herbal gardening, as well as things to consider when growing, harvesting, storing and using herbs for medicinal uses.
Walnut Creek’s Gardens at Heather Farm are at 1540 Marchbanks Drive. Club members welcome the public to visit their meeting and join the WCGC, which one needn’t be a gardener to do. For more information online, visit walnutcreekgardenclub.org.
— WCGC
To submit an item for the East and Central Contra Costa County weeklies’ “In brief” section, which is now published in print on each month’s first Friday, please email it, at least one week before print publication, to njackson@bayareanewsgroup.com. Each item should be 90 to 180 words and include a short headline along with the name of the group or individual to credit for it.