In brief: Pittsburg’s new illegal dumping ordinance takes effect April 18
Fines are going up to $1,000 per incident, and the city may hold any vehicle driver or owner accountable for citations and the cleanup cost.
PITTSBURG
Pittsburg has taken action against illegal dumping by increasing fines under a recently adopted ordinance to $1,000 per incident — the maximum allowed by the state. The city also retains authority to hold any owner and/or operator of a vehicle used for illegal dumping accountable for citations and the cleanup cost.
The ordinance becomes effective April 18. The city will use its network of automated license plate reader cameras to capture license plates of vehicle used for illegal dumping and lead officials to their registered owners. In cases of ongoing dumping, the abatement cost of a property may be charged to that property’s owner.
“Illegal dumping has increasingly become an issue throughout the region, and the city of Pittsburg spends $100,000 annually on the cleanup of illegally dumped debris,” said Jordan Davis, the city’s director of community and economic development.
“Items dumped are often large, heavy, maybe hazardous or contain hazardous materials requiring a lot of processing to pick those up and also to dispose of them.”
Davis said the city estimated more than 1,200 tons or 306 cubic yards of debris in 2021 and 288 cubic yards in 2022. City Manager Garrett Evans said as far back as 2017 that the city picked up 632 mattresses and 361 couches or sofa chairs in a year.
For more information, contact the Pittsburg Community and Economic Development Department at 925-252-4039 or visit pittsburgca.gov.
— city of Pittsburg
Los Medanos College bestows 2024 César Chávez awards
Los Medanos College honored Latino leaders April 5 during its 2024 “César Chávez: Honoring a Legacy Awards Celebration.” The event celebrated the life of labor leader and activist Chávez and recognized East Contra Costa County community members seen as following his example of service, activism and nonviolent social change.
This year’s honorees featured Concepcion James, who chairs United Latino Voices of Contra Costa County and earned the Chávez Award for Exemplary Community Service for her longstanding commitment to service and for demonstrating the core values modeled by Chávez.
Also honored were Rosa Armendáriz, Los Medanos College’s interim dean of equity and inclusion; and Jessica Linares Boyle, a Los Medanos counselor, who earned the East County Educator Award.
Teyoltlahui Gonzalez and Gabriel Perez-Cano, Pittsburg High School and Los Medanos respective student leaders, earned the Chávez Spirit Award in recognition of their efforts over the past year to affect change through advocacy and social justice.
— Los Medanos College
WALNUT CREEK
New local kids’ book ‘W is for Walnut Creek’ now available
A new local children’s book brings the alphabet to life by showcasing the best of Walnut Creek. “W is for Walnut Creek: An A-Z Journey Through Walnut Creek, California,” is the newest book in Sammy and Kori Barton’s “Hometown Highlights Alphabet Series,” which comes on the heels of “C is for Concord.”
The new book combines fascinating local history with whimsical poetry and colorful paintings that captivate audiences of all ages.
“The author and illustrator cleverly remind us of all Walnut Creek has to offer,” says Karen Deshayes, the executive director of Lindsay Wildlife Experience.
Kathy Hemmenway, Walnut Creek Downtown’s executive director, calls it “a unique book for all ages to read, learn and enjoy!”
Sarah Torres, a co-owner of A Sweet Affair Bakery, said the book is “An awe-inspiring collection of artwork, poems and historical background that transport the reader through the unique destinations that make Walnut Creek the perfect place to call home.”
These educational and entertaining books are available on Amazon at tiny.cc/cu9mxz. Follow “Hometown Highlights Alphabet Series” on Facebook to learn about upcoming books in the series.
— Kori Barton
LAFAYETTE
Lifestyle Tour fundraiser happening May 4
For 25 years, the Lifestyle Tour presented by Lafayette Juniors has continued to be one of Lamorinda’s most beloved events and the group’s largest fundraiser. The Lafayette Lifestyle Tour is a self-guided event featuring beautiful Lafayette homes with masterfully designed, unique and awe-inspiring indoor and outdoor spaces.
This year’s tour will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 4, and funds raised will directly support Lafayette Juniors’ local beneficiaries: Hospice East Bay, CASA of Contra Costa County and Girls Crushing It. Tickets are available online at lafayettejuniors.org.
— Lafayette Juniors
Nursery school’s annual Science Day of Discovery on May 4
Lafayette Nursery School’s 47th annual Science Day of Discovery will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 4. Make a volcano explode, shoot a rocket, make slime, dig for dinosaur bones and test your senses. These are just a few of the many hands-on activities that will be on hand during this great experience for the whole family.
Experiments are designed for children preschool ages through third grade. Proceeds are donated to a local math or science-based charity.
The cost is $5 per child, and the event will take place at in the Lafayette Nursery School at 979 First St. in Lafayette. For more information, visit lafayettenurseryschool.org online or call the school at 925-284-2448.
— Chelsea Bowman
WALNUT CREEK
Garden club to hold fundraiser luncheon April 18
A fundraiser luncheon for the Walnut Creek Garden Club will start at 11:30 a.m. April 18 at 711 Silver Lake Drive in Danville.
The program will feature speakers Deborah Kirk, the editorial director for Diablo Magazine, and Peter Crooks and writer for the publication, which covers Bay Area topics from travel, culture and personalities to entertainment, recreation and food. Tickets can be purchased online at walnutcreekgardenclub.org under the “events” tab.
— WCGC
CONCORD
High school robotics team to compete in championship
For the first time, Concord’s Clayton Valley Charter High School (CVCHS) is sending a robotics team April 24-27 to Dallas for the VEX World Championship, the largest robotics competition in the world.
With more than 40,000 teams worldwide, CVCHS team 94517x is one of 2,400 top teams qualified to compete in the championship. More than 30,000 student competitors and more than 50,000 attendees, from every U.S. states and more than 50 countries will be there.
‘We are excited to compete with and against the friends we made and new ones we’re meeting from all over the world,” says Eric Catalano, the school’s team captain and one its programmers. Also part of the team are master builder Santi Martinez, quartermaster Alex Mihalov, CAD designer Will Gallagher and documentation manager Asher Wan.
You can learn more about the VEX World Championship online at bit.ly/3THg22C and donate to the school’s team at bit.ly/3VDjvlk. Your tax-free charitable donation will support the costs for registration, travel and lodging. Any amount is welcomed and appreciated! .
— JoAnna Castillo, CVCHS robotics coach
To submit an item for our “In brief” section, please email it, at least a week before print publication, to njackson@bayareanewsgroup.com and jprieve@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.