Pittsburg Italian club holding cookie contest, Fall Festival
The Sons & Daughters of Italy, C. Colombo Lodge 1315, will host their 12th annual Cucidati Contest and Fall Festival from noon to 3 p.m. Nov. 9 in the Pittsburg Youth Development Center at 1001 Stoneman Ave.
Everyone is invited to bake their favorite cucidati (fig-stuffed cookies originally from Sicily) and enter the contest, which will include monetary prizes. Cucidati classes will also be available for novice bakers or anyone interested in entering the contest, which requires bakers to make at least 100 cookies.
Visitors to the event will get the opportunity to sample cookies, vote for the people's choice award and listen to Italian music. Homemade Italian baked goods, caponata (eggplant), meatball sliders, sausages, cannoli, Italian sodas and espresso drinks will be available for purchase. Sales at the event will be in cash only.
Presale entrance tickets are $20 (and include coffee and cookie samplings) and can be purchased from Pam Bustos at 925-642-8658 or at . Proceeds will go toward student scholarships.
To enter the cucidati contest, or sign up for baking lessons, call Zelda LeFrak-Belleci at 925-518-7110 or email .
— Judith Prieve
Police Department announces town hall meeting Oct. 17
The Brentwood Police Department has announced their third town hall meeting, which will be held Oct. 17 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Brentwood Community Center.
Join Sgt. Brouillette and other department members for an informative evening focused on critical incidents. This session will offer valuable insights into how these situations are managed and resolved by officers.
The department invites all community members to participate in this important discussion. It's an excellent opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the police department's inner workings and the decision-making processes during critical incidents.
— city of Brentwood
WALNUT CREEK
Public Works Department's new director settles into role
City Manager Dan Buckshi has selected Rich Payne to serve as Walnut Creek's new public works director. Payne now leads a team of more than 100 employees who work in a variety of positions providing services to the community. Payne had most recently served as the city's public works manager and interim assistant public works director.
"I have worked with Rich for several years, and found him to be a strong leader," Buckshi said. "He has helped to develop a proactive team that works hard on behalf of the residents of Walnut Creek."
The Public Works Department provides engineering services, maintains parks, open space and public facilities, manages traffic operations and is responsible for streets and drainage throughout Walnut Creek. Public Works is also responsible for clearing debris during storms. Payne said he was excited to start this new position.
"Our department has major projects underway," Payne said. "It's gratifying to know that our team is up to the task and responsive to residents' needs."
His leadership was recognized earlier this year when he was named the American Public Works Association Northern California Chapter Leader of the Year. Payne's appointment became effective Sept. 16.
— city of Walnut Creek
Garden club's monthly meeting Oct. 14 at Heather Farm
The Walnut Creek Garden Club (WCGC) will hold its free monthly meeting on Oct. 14 in Walnut Creek's Gardens at Heather Farm.
Join the club for a special program presented by Kathryn Lincoln, a manager at UC Berkeley's Blake Garden. Registration will start at 9:15 a.m., followed by a brief meeting, social time and an educational program. Tea, coffee and snacks will be complimentary.
UC Berkeley's Blake Garden is a living landscape laboratory for the university's landscape architecture and environmental planning students. Lincoln will give the history and overview of this unique garden.
The Gardens at Heather Farm are at 1540 Marchbanks Drive in Walnut Creek, and the public is welcome to attend the club's meeting. Visit walnutcreekgardenclub.org online for more details.
— WCGC
Donate Halloween costumes to library through Oct. 16
The Concord Library has announced its annual Halloween costume "Booo-tique" and they're looking for your help!
Do you have any new or gently used Halloween costumes you would like to donate to their spook-tacular event? The Concord Library is collecting new and gently used costumes for all ages to make sure everyone has a Halloween to remember.
Please drop off your costume donations at the Concord Library (2900 Salvio St), now through Oct. 16. Your donations are greatly appreciated. Thank you for spreading that Halloween magic! Please share with family and friends.
— city of Concord
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