CONCORD
The Women in Aviation International — San Francisco Bay Area Chapter (WAI-SFBA) and Mount Diablo Pilots Association (MDPA) have announced that will co-host a free program offered to local girls ages 8 to 18 to introduce them to aviation career possibilities.
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The 10th annual Girls in Aviation Day will take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 28 in the KCCR Buchanan Field Clubhouse at 200 Buchanan Field Road in Concord. More than 100 girls along with their chaperones are expected to attend.
“WAI-SFBA and MDPA want to share our love of aviation with girls living across the Bay Area!” said Keri Martin, the MDPA’s secretary and a WAI-SFBA member. “Many organizations have partnered with us to provide a unique and wonderful day for each girl who attends. We would like to encourage each girl to envision themselves as engineers, astronauts, aircraft maintenance technicians, pilots, dispatchers, air traffic controllers or the dozens of other careers available to them in aviation and aerospace.”
The local groups will join Women in Aviation International chapters around the world in September for this outreach event to inspire the next generation of women in aviation. Chapters and partners all over the world are putting on their own unique programs. Attendees will be able to participate in hands-on activities, hear inspirational speakers, meet women working throughout the aviation and aerospace industries and more.
Parents and legal guardians should visit the Girls in Aviation Day website (awam16.org) with their girls to see a two-minute video from last year’s event, find out additional details about activities and speakers and to register. For more information online about partnering, donating or volunteering, visit awam16.org/support-our-event.
— MDPA
BRENTWOOD
Costco construction can start soon, expected to open in 2025
In significant economic news for Brentwood, West Coast Home Builders, the only remaining plaintiff/petitioner in the lawsuit against the opening of a new Costco, has just filed a Request for Dismissal of the city of Brentwood and Costco.
This pivotal development means that construction could proceed this summer, with the new Costco expected to open early next year. This project has been eagerly anticipated by the community for a long time and is projected to bring substantial economic benefits to Brentwood.
Meanwhile, Limitless Axes & Ales was set to celebrate its recent grand opening in Brentwood. Located in the Streets of Brentwood shopping center, this new venue offer a fun and immersive experience for all.
Patrons can enjoy axe throwing, a full arcade area and a variety of delicious bar bites, such as tacos, flatbreads and sliders. The venue will also offer a selection of signature cocktails, wine flights and a diverse range of draft beer options.
— city of Brentwood
EAST CONTRA COSTA
County library system seeks volunteer adult literacy tutors
The Contra Costa County Library system is looking for volunteer adult literacy tutors for its free, confidential literacy program, Project Second Chance (PSC), which offers free, one-on-one tutoring to adults who would like to improve their English reading and writing.
Many adults need help with reading so they can pass a GED or U.S. citizenship test or read to their kids. PSC is specifically interested in finding tutors who live in or can travel to East Contra Costa County.
The need is great in Pittsburg, Bay Point, Oakley, Antioch and Brentwood for in-person PSC tutors, all of whom are provided with training. PSC tutors must be at least 21, comfortable with their own English reading and writing and willing to meet with an adult learner for 90-minute sessions twice a week.
PSC tutors must also be able to commit to volunteering for at least six months. Those interested can call 925-691-3960 or email leslie.mladinich@library.cccounty.us about how to test-drive the role before committing to an Aug. 16 training in Antioch.
— Contra Costa County Library
WALNUT CREEK
City urges youth to apply for seats on various commissions
In 2022, the Youth Leadership Commission recommended a pilot program to add youth members to other city commissions to broaden youth representation in Walnut Creek.
This program, dubbed “A Seat at the Table,” aimed to expand youth participation in city government and resulted in youth members appointed to the Arts, Transportation and Park, Recreation and Open Space (PROS) commissions.
During the last next two years, Commissioners Skye Loumeau (Arts), Angie Yao (Transportation) and Karlina Meyer (PROS) represented their peers and provided a fresh perspective on the issues before their commissions.
The pilot program tested the viability of youth seats on city commissions and demonstrated the valuable contributions of youth in the community. Following the successful program, the City Council voted to make the seats permanent.
Now the city is actively recruiting youth for multiple opportunities to be involved and represent their peers on the Arts, Transportation, Youth Leadership and PROS commissions. Applications are open through 10 p.m. Aug. 18. For more details or to apply online, visit bit.ly/3VEVQR8.
— city of Walnut Creek
CONCORD
Program keeps downtown clean, safe to welcome visitors
With summer’s arrival, Concord is ready to welcome throngs of residents and visitors downtown for concerts, dining, shopping and other fun. Visitors may notice that the downtown area is looking particularly sharp, thanks to a new program that was implemented last summer to enhance its appearance.
Through a partnership with the nonprofit Todos Santos Business Association (TSBA), the city of Concord introduced a Downtown Concord Welcome Program, which includes a day porter, a security officer acting as an ambassador and pressure washing of sidewalks and streets.
Concurrently, the city has implemented a new garbage and recycling program and pressure-washed and painted its downtown garages and will soon add more security cameras and lighting.
“The goal of the programs are to promote a welcoming, clean, and safe environment for visitors frequenting Todos Santos Plaza and the surrounding businesses, many of which struggled financially due to lack of foot traffic during the pandemic,” said Justin Crossley, TSBA executive committee member and owner of The Hop Grenade.
The day porter attends to designated routes within the business district to pick up trash, clean graffiti and wipe down park benches, tables and trash cans. The ambassador patrols the parking garages, Todos Santos Plaza, and the downtown business district by foot, bike, and vehicle.
This officer is uniformed and unarmed, carrying a clearly marked identification badge and cell phone. Through nonconfrontational techniques, he is able to displace and discourage inappropriate behaviors, with notable success in the public parking garages.
Pressure washing services are also conducted monthly on popular pedestrian pathways and sidewalks of Todos Santos Plaza and the surrounding streets. This helps supplement the maintenance work being performed by the city’s Public Works Department.
“The program has proven to be and continues to be successful,” said Concord Mayor Edi Birsan. “We appreciate our partnership with the downtown businesses that have made our community more attractive and desirable to visit. Our visitors are taking notice and returning in greater numbers.”
The program was made possible by a $458,000 grant from the city of Concord using federal funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and an additional grant of $50,000 from the Brenden-Mann Foundation.
Come downtown and enjoy it all! The four-month Music & Market concert series has begun and the concert lineup is online at cityofconcord.org/downtownevents.
— city of Concord
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