Contra Costa News

55: Sam Gives Update on Three Nunns Farm

On this episode, a chat with Sam Nunn of Three Nunns Farm who gives an update on the upcoming strawberry u-pick season and soon to be cherry season.
Located at 550 Walnut Blvd in the City of Brentwood, Three Nunn Farms offers a variety of activities throughout the year between u-pick seasons (strawberry, cherry, peach and pumpkins) to a giant corn maze in the fall—along with many other amenities such as a roller coaster, and pumpkin launcher. Sam shares how he knew he wanted to farm for a living, what Brentwood means to him and the impact of farming in the State of California. We also talk about the role of Harvest Time in Brentwood and the benefit its providing to the local farming community.
For more on Three Nunns Farm, visit them at: https://threenunns.com/
For more on Harvest Time in Brentwood, visit them at https://harvestforyou.com/

54: Talking Beer With Side Gate Brewery

A chat with Paul Culbertson and Kevin Wilson of Side Gate Brewery in Concord, CA. We talk about how they went from being in finance to launching a brewery and their love of beer. The two share their journey from concept to reality of how Side Gate Brewery was born and what went into the transformation in downtown Concord—and how they ended up in Concord. Obviously, we talk beer, what they make and what goes into each beer launch—but also how they raise up other home brewers up by holding homebrew competitions.
 
For more information: https://www.sidegatebrewing.com/home

53: Trevel Talks TNT Smoothie & Juice Bar in Downtown Antioch

On this episode, a chat with Trevel Adanandus of TNT Smoothie & Juice Bar located in downtown Antioch. While waiting to become a longshoreman, he opened in October of 2022 after talking with his dad (owner of Tease Southern Kitchen) where he offers healthy options from Acai bowls (superfood bowls), smoothies, juices to many other items. We get into how he came up with the concept, early challenges, why he chose the City of Antioch and shares how downtown has changed in the past couple of years. He sees positive changes coming to the downtown and believes the area will soon become vibrant with all the changes being made.
Website: https://www.tntsmoothiebar.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tntsmoothiebar/

52: Sylvia Green Talks Food Pantry Non-Profit

On this episode, at chat with Sylvia Green of Blessed to be a Blessing Ministries who are a local non-profit food pantry in Contra Costa County serving families. They are helping fight hunger by serving families in Antioch, Bay Point, Brentwood and Oakley where they provide food via delivery every other Saturday.  The food pantry started 4-years ago and serves 30-35 families while being all donation and volunteer based.  We talk about how the non-profit started, its early challenges and the need in Contra Costa County—including donations, financial, volunteers and more.
 
Website:  https://blessedtobeablessingministries.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100065024558001

51: Sean McCauley Talks Antioch, Brentwood and Pittsburg Happenings

On this episode, a chat with Sean McCauley who shares some exciting news of 7 restaurants opening in the next 6 months. These will happen in the City of Antioch, City of Brentwood and City of Pittsburg. We get into downtown Antioch and what is transpiring down there. What cities can do to better help business. Get into chicken and goats, Harvest Time and Agriculture. Touch on the Urban Limit Line which is coming quickly. Meanwhile, some advice to business owners on how to navigate the national and state politic climate. Plus, much more!  
To reach out to McCauley, visit him at: https://mccauleyinv.com/

50: Lauren Huffmaster of Adventure Therapy Foundation

On this episode, I chat with Lauren Huffmaster, founder of Adventure Therapy Foundation, a nonprofit that exists to break the destructive cycles created by the isolation, fear and broken identity in families impacted by cancer. Through programs that are designed to teach individuals and families how to face each side effect and learn how to break through it. Lauren shares her story, how the foundation was created and how she woke up one day and decided she wasn’t going to be “good at dying” and instead start living through adventure. She now wants to help others. She is an author, podcaster and has courses to help people. Her book is available on Amazon and is called “Cancering”.

49: Bri and Joseph Drake Talk Break Free Fitness

On this episode, I chat with Bri and Joseph Drake who are launching Break Free Fitness in Brentwood with an open house on March 2 and will open next week. Bri shares her credentials from the fitness world to nutrition and what she hopes to achieve with this facility--focusing on women's health. She hopes to build community with small group and semi-private fitness classes where one can work out, stay motivated and achieve their goals. We get into a ton of stuff from nutrition, health fads, Ozempic to achieving success one goal at a time. The goal is always to build confidence and feel good about yourself.
 
For more information: www.breakfreefitness.com

48: Photojournalist Art Ray

On this episode, I chat with photojournalist Art Ray who shoots local news stories with a camera. We talk about what he does, how he got started and how no one would hire a African American man to shoot news in Chicago. Ray shares his journey to California and ended up in Contra Costa County and many of the videos on local news channels are from Ray. We get into several other issues from socioeconomic to racism to how politics ruins everything. We touch on Contra Costa County news and what the lack of news the public is getting. Art also shares his new business which is shooting videos for memorial services while also working to promote the Three Queens of Motown show.

#47: Paulo Sausage Company

On this episode, I chat with Ronnie and Jena of the Paulo Sausage Company who have expanded their business over the last few years, including a storefront in the City of Pittsburg.
 
We talk about how they started, taking the concept from idea to reality and the growth trajectory and even tackle some of their challenges. A lot of fun goodies they share including navigating a work-life balance.
 
Launched in 2021, the Paulo Sausage Company produces some of the best sausage around with a variety of flavors from hot Italian to sweet habanero, each sausage is a labor of love—including the amazing blueberry maple which is perfect for breakfast sandwiches. They have also expanded to offering some pretty amazing sandwiches (I recommend the Meatball Sub or Mortadella Brie—but they are all good, and filling). Finally, they are set to launch their own breads in store.
 
For more info: www.paulosausageco.com

46: Kori Barton Talks Hometown Highlights Alphabet Series

On this episode, a chat Kori Barton about her Hometown Highlights Alphabet Series. This is a husband-and-wife team illustrating their way across Contra Costa County with a series of children’s books.
To date, books have been released on the City of Clayton, City of Concord, City of Brentwood and City of Walnut Creek – with the City of Martinez in progress. The goal is to bring to light the beauty and unique aspects of Bay Area cities.  
We talk about the importance of community pride, art, putting together the projects and ultimate goals. Plus, much more!!!
For more on Kori, the projects, and where to purchase the books, visit them at www.hometownalphabet.com

45: Dennis Mobley New Winemaker at Vino Olivo Winery

On this episode, a chat with Dennis Mobley, who is the new head winemaker at Vino Olivo Winery in Brentwood. This Sunday, they release the 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon as they host a wine tasting at McCauley Estate Vineyards in Brentwood. We chat about Mobley’s background, where his passion came from and his style of wine making. Plus, cover a bunch of other stuff of how Contra Costa County is primed to see great things from the wine industry going forward.
For more on Vino Olivo Winery, visit them at www.vinoolivo.com
 
Dennis Mobley, Senior Wine Maker 
With over a decade of experience in winemaking, Dennis Mobley brings a wealth of expertise and passion to every bottle crafted at Vino Olivo Winery. His journey spans the entire spectrum of the winemaking process—from  grape harvest and cellar operations to fermentation, bottling, and beyond. In 2023, Dennis earned his Certificate in Winemaking from the prestigious UC Davis program, a milestone that coincided with his award-winning successes, including silver medals for his Chardonnay and Zinfandel at major wine competitions, along with additional accolades for a range of other varietals.
Before immersing himself in the art of winemaking, Dennis enjoyed a distinguished career in global investment banking technology. This experience sharpened his attention to detail, communication skills, and collaborative mindset—attributes that now inform his meticulous approach to crafting exceptional wines. His extensive international travel and exposure to world-class dining further refined his palate and deepened his appreciation for the nuanced relationship between food and wine.
A native of Central California, Dennis’s roots in agriculture instilled in him a profound respect for the land and a steadfast work ethic. This unique combination of agricultural heritage, technical proficiency, and genuine passion for winemaking fuels his commitment to producing wines of exceptional quality at Vino Olivo Winery.

44: Rivertown Treasure Chest in Antioch

On this episode, a chat with Debbie Blaisure and Toni Lincks of the Rivertown Treasure Chest in downtown Antioch.
They share their growth from starting out in a co-op to launching their own store with growth from Oddly Unique to Rivertown Treasure Chest.
We talk “flip game” as the idea is to buy low, sell high, but its not as easy as it seams and products could sit for years. Blaisure and Lincks talk about the industry and impact of EBAY and Facebook Marketplace.  We get into the “myths” within the industry and how folks do not understand something is not always top dollar, but rather its value is tied to how much someone is willing to pay for an item. Finally, we talk about how to choose a vendor and what items to fill their store with.
For more information: www.rivertowntreasurechest.com

43: Mike Barbanica Talks Contra Costa County

On this episode, a chat with Mike Barbanica, candidate for Contra Costa County Board of Supervisor in District 5. He provides an update on the campaign, where he is at on several issues. With he and his opponent pretty close on most topics, the race will likely come down to public safety and ensuring people are held accountable—and impact of Proposition 36. We touch on the bizarre EB Times endorsement. The race also has an opportunity to bring Contra Costa County back more to the middle, or could continue down the same path. We get into both City of Antioch and City of Pittsburg issues, as well as needs in communities like Bay Point and Rodeo. Ultimately, Barbanica urges the community to watch both debates and make the choice that is best for them.
 
For more information, visit: https://mikebarbanica.com/

42: Louie Rocha Runs for Antioch City Council

On this episode, I chat with Louie Rocha who is running for Antioch City Council, District 2.  He is a retired principal of Antioch High School who is seeking to bring back stability and civility back to the Antioch City Council will looking to focus on not only public safety, but better improve services for residents in the city of Antioch. He also wants to bridge the communication and partnership with the Antioch Unified School District and work on solutions for not only the youth, but seniors and unhoused.
We get into a tone of stuff from Antioch being labeled the “new Oakland” to what Antioch HS has specifically done to help a unhoused students. Rocha also talked about the importance of hiring the right city manager, police chief and developing a plan for the city.
 
For more on Louie Rocha, visit him at https://louierocha.org/

41: Brian Oftedal Runs for Brentwood City Council District 3

On this episode, I chat with Brian Oftedal, candidate for Brentwood City Council District 3. We address not only why he is running, but some of the goofy online rhetoric being stated about him. We get into his experience on the East Contra Costa Fire Protection District Board of Directors, work with the American Red Cross and Ronn Nunn Elementary. We get into several items relating to the city of Brentwood from public safety, staff retention, smart growth, civility, road safety, homelessness and emergency preparedness. Episode may be long, but we cover a lot of items.
For more information: www.brian4brentwood.com

40: Faye Maloney Runs for Brentwood City Council

On this episode, I chat with Faye Maloney who is running for Brentwood City Council in District 1. We talk about what she has been up to in serving on a county role with the Contra Costa Commission on Women and Girls and how they serve the community. We get into her background where as a child it created her "why" in terms of living her life and serving the community.
We talk City of Brentwood public safety, importance of staffing and retention, preserving the agriculture and supporting local business. Along with a variety of other issues. She also wants to bring people together and stop with the divisiveness.
For more on Faye Maloney, visit her at www.fayeforbrentwood.com

39: Gerald Johnson Runs for Mayor of Brentwood

On this episode, I chat with Gerald Johnson who is running for Mayor of the City of Brentwood. We get into his time as president of the Brentwood Chamber of Commerce, serving as a Brentwood Planning Commissioner and his background. We debunk a ton of the social media chatter going on by explaining his stance on development/housing, DEI and zoos. We talk about the need for civility, raising the bar and helping everyone. He encourages the City Council to take care of staff and get their contracts done, the need to get the 5th Brentwood Police beat up and running as quickly as possible, the budget is questionable given all the future project funding needs, while also being more business friendly. We also talk Zoom and 5-minute public comments and homeless.
For more on Gerald Johnson, visit him at www.geraldcjohnson.com

38: Oleksii Chuiko Runs for Oakley City Council

On this episode, a chat with Oleksii Chuiko who is running for Oakley City Council, District 5. Chuiko serves as an Oakley Planning Commissioner and is currently the president of the Oakley Chamber of Commerce. We get into why he is running and talk his priorities which include public safety, economic growth and working towards a regional cooperative on many topics.
For more information, https://www.oc4oakley.com/

37: Cristina Pena Langley Runs for Oakley City Council

On this episode, I chat with Cristina Pena Langley who is running for Oakley City Council, District 5. Too nice for elected office? Possibly. That is the question as she is a teacher in Oakley, Girl Scout Leader, and an executive leader within the Teachers Association ofOakley. We get into why she is running for city council with top priorities of public safety, ensuring Oakley remains clean, develops more social activities for residents, while also ensuring the budget remains healthy, has a solid economic development plan. We also get into a variety of other topics.
For more information: click here

36: Fernando Sandoval Talks Contra Costa Community College District

On this episode, I chat with Fernando Sandoval who is running for re-election on the Contra Costa Community College District Board (Ward 5). We get into what is new with the District, finally appears to be stability within the District. I question whether 4-year college is a scam and people should just go towards trades. We talk high cost of college compounded with high cost of living, opportunities for students of all ages. We also talk a bit about fiscal accountability and impacts of the governors budget, equity, community partnerships and more.
For more information about Fernando - click here

35: Antwon Webster Runs for Antioch City Council District 3

On this episode, I chat with Antwon Webster who is running for Antioch City Council, District 3. We get into a variety of topics including him working with services groups to in an effort to improve the city as a whole. We touch on the tone of the most recent council meeting and then get into topics such as public safety, economic development and staffing levels. We get into the budget, youth services, and the Amtrak. We close with Webster stating despite the rhetoric, he is not a “plant” for the mayor and is running to improve Antioch.
 
For more on website, visit him at: www.antwonwebster.com

34: Don Freitas Runs for Antioch City Council District 3

On this episode, I chat with Don Freitas who is running for Antioch City Council in District 3. He is the former mayor having served from 2000 to 2008, previously on the city council and served on the Water District.
 
We talk about why he is coming back now and what has changed for him within the City of Antioch. The importance of bringing back civility, increasing staffing levels and creating an environment where people want to live, work and play in the city.  We talk Antioch Police and staffing levels, text messages by police, code enforcement needs and bringing back neighborhood watch. Freitas advocates for an economic development plan that will address not only the downtown, but Somersville Town Center, Deer Valley Plaza, Slatten Ranch and other parts of the city—including having a house component.
 
We get into the homeless solution Antioch has moved forward with and if it is working. Accountability and transparency, budget issues and concerns, youth programming, and street safety.

33: Kim Karr Talks Social Media For Good Given State of Online Commentary

On this episode, I chat with Kim Karr of #ICANHELP and Digital4Good. The conversation comes a day after negative social media commentary hit the contracosta.news social media pages.
While we discuss the work they do for youth, we get into a variety of topics around social media form folks producing content simply for clicks and addiction to play off emotions. How to combat that. Strategies to identify pots, trolls and tension seekers. Potential laws that might be a good idea or even just improving accountability for online usages which has led to suicide and the ruining of peoples lives. She also recommends changing how and why you use social media--look for gold nuggets, not negativity. She also talks about the role of parenting and accountability.
At Digital4Good, they believe in the power of digital citizenship to create a safer online world. Founded in response to an online attack on a teacher, Digital4Good emerged as a way to fight back against digital negativity. 

32: Rakesh Kumar Christian Runs for Mayor of Antioch

On this episode, Rakesh Kumar Christian runs for Mayor of Antioch citing he wants change.  
He faces off against Mayor Lamar Hernandez-Thorpe and Ron Bernal who he says are both part of the problem of why Antioch is where it is today. We get into what he says is mismanagement, budgeting issues. We talk public safety, economic development, improving city services, civility in government and transportation.

31: Retired Police Sgt Steve Aiello Talks Antioch Police Department

On this episode, we recap what has been going on with the Antioch Police Department and City of Antioch. I am joined by former Antioch Police Sergeant Steve Aiello and Ken Turnage to highlight history and provide more context of what has gone on.
We talk staffing levels, why police officers are leaving, the negative impact the Antioch City Council has had – specifically Mayor Lamar Hernandez-Thorpe, Tamisha Torres-Walker and Monica Wilson on staffing levels. How hard it is for Antioch Police to hire.
We discuss how a Share Order was off limits involving Mayor Hernandez-Thorpe and others with text messages but text messages involving Antioch Police and Pittsburg Police was okay. We get into why the media has gone hard after Antioch Police but left Pittsburg Police alone even though they have had more officers fired. We also talk context, of how the way police text messages were released were not all of the messages but a small sampling and in some cases edited—only 25 pages of 200+ have been released. At least Pittsburg was smart to let the process play out, Antioch Mayor wanted to hold press conference after press conference and now historically wrong.
We also question why police body camera footage from Tamisha Torres-Walker house has never been released and the legal games playing out—Aiello says it should be released. We get into importance of body camera’s in police department and impacts it has. Should never have taken Councilmember Mike Barbanica 6x to make the request.
Finally, why is no one in the media discussing the grand jury report? Totally bizarre media protects elected officials when they should be reporting on them.