 |
Posted in: Arts & Entertainment, Business, Fairs & Festivals, History, Holiday, Rivertown | Comments (0)
During the annual Independence Day Celebration
Publisher @ July 1, 2026
Posted in: BART, Bay Area, News, Politics & Elections, Taxes, Transportation | Comments (0)
Will appear on Bay Area ballots across five counties including Contra Costa
By Jeff Cretan, West Advisors
SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA — The Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) has announced that the Connect Bay Area regional transit funding measure has officially qualified for the November 2026 ballot after elections officials confirmed the campaign submitted enough valid signatures across Contra Costa, Alameda, San Francisco, San Mateo and Santa Clara counties.
The announcement follows the Connect Bay Area campaign’s submission of more than 305,000 signatures in May, far exceeding the 186,000 valid signatures required to qualify the measure. The MTC’s official certification sent on June 30 declared that the registrars of voters across the five counties each conducted their individual county counts and submitted the results to the MTC and the total submitted far exceeded the qualification threshold.
The measure if adopted would increase the sales tax in Contra Costa, Alameda San Mateo and Santa Clara counties by a half cent and one cent in San Francisco County for 14 years. As previously reported, the measure would generate approximately $980 million annually across the five counties.
The success of this effort was built on one of the largest grassroots transit organizing efforts the region has ever seen and unprecedented support from business, labor, and community organizations across the Bay Area.
The Connect Bay Area five-county sales tax measure would provide long-term operational funding for major Bay Area transit agencies while supporting projects to strengthen and better connect transit systems across the region. It will protect major transit agencies like BART, Muni, Caltrain and AC Transit from devastating service cuts, help VTA grow to better serve residents, workers, and businesses, and provide direct support to counties for transit improvements.
Connect Bay Area also strengthens accountability for transit agencies. SB 63 – the legislation authored by Senators Scott Wiener and Jesse Arreguín that enabled Connect Bay Area – requires independent financial reviews, continued efficiency improvements, and stronger regional coordination before the measure even appears on the ballot.
Unprecedented Grassroots, Labor and Business Support
The Connect Bay Area campaign has grown in support over the last several months with more than 80 elected officials and more than 90 labor, business, and advocacy organizations signing on in support. Major businesses from across the region helped raise more than $5.5 million to qualify the measure and prepare for the November election.
Since launching in January, Connect Bay Area mobilized more than 1,000 volunteers and advocates across Alameda, Contra Costa, San Francisco, San Mateo, and Santa Clara counties. Supporters gathered signatures at transit stations, farmers markets, community events, neighborhood meetings, and major public gatherings throughout the Bay Area.
The overwhelming signature total that led to the measure’s qualification for the ballot reflects broad public support for transit and growing awareness of the urgency surrounding the future of Bay Area public transportation.
Without sustainable transit funding, the Bay Area could face catastrophic service reductions:
The campaign will now turn its full attention toward the November election, building on the unprecedented coalition of volunteers, businesses, labor organizations, transit riders, and community advocates who helped qualify the measure.
About Connect Bay Area
The Connect Bay Area campaign is a five-county Regional Transit Measure on the November 2026 ballot. The measure would establish a 0.5% sales tax in Alameda, Contra Costa, San Mateo, and Santa Clara counties and a 1% sales tax in San Francisco to provide additional support for Muni. It would provide long-term operational funding for major Bay Area transit agencies while supporting regional projects that strengthen transit throughout the region.
The Regional Transit Measure will:
The measure includes strong accountability and oversight provisions, including independent financial reviews for every transit operator, regional coordination requirements to ensure systems work better together, and a citizen oversight committee to monitor spending and performance. A recent independent study required under SB 63 found Bay Area transit agencies have already achieved approximately $1 billion in operational efficiencies while identifying additional opportunities to improve service and reduce costs.
The Connect Bay Area Transit Committee is comprised of labor, business, and transit advocates, including Bay Area Council, SEIU 1021, ATU 1555, South Bay Labor Council, SPUR, and SAMCEDA, alongside an advocacy council of more than 20 organizations representing transit, housing, environmental, equity, senior, and disability organizations.
For more information about the Connect Bay Area campaign or to get involved, visit connectbayarea.com.
Publisher @ July 1, 2026
Posted in: Ads & Coupons, Arts & Entertainment, Dining, Rivertown | Comments (0)
Best view of the fireworks in Antioch! DJ and live entertainment
By Monica Barajas
Come Celebrate America’s 250th Birthday with us all day long this 4th of July.
Brunch & Lunch until 5pm.
Cucos Tacos & Mexican Hot Dogs 5pm -9pm.
Full bar all day.
DJ starts at 5pm. Live entertainment at 8pm.
Exclusive outdoor seating on the river to view the fireworks at 9:20pm!! Bring a chair! Chairs and tables are limited.
Entry is $10 for adults, $5 for kids (includes a beverage ticket).
Monica’s Riverview is located at 1 “I” (Eye) Street on the pier in Antioch’s historic, downtown Rivertown.
For menu and reservations go to www.visitmonicas.com.
Paid advertisement
Publisher @ July 1, 2026
Posted in: City Council, Housing, News | Comments (0)
Forced to approve by state law, but without any changes to project since denying it in April
“The City will not have financial or legal obligation regarding the repayment of the debt.” – Planning Manager Zoe Merideth. But City will receive $15K in bond fees.
Freitas again rants against project saying, “It’s ugly.”
By Allen D. Payton
After denying public financing for the Hillcrest Summit Apartments on a 2-2-1 vote in April, the Antioch City Council changed course and voted 5-0 to approve it during their meeting on June 23, 2026. That’s despite the developer not making any changes to address concerns of the council members, including the proximity to the adjacent gas station, convenience store and car wash, as well as the project’s aesthetics. New concerns were shared about traffic impacts and lack of parking, due to new state law because of its location near the BART Station.
The project is one of the 10 Commercial Infill Housing (CIH) Overlay District parcels the council rezoned in 2022 that will allow extremely-low, very-low and low-income apartment complexes throughout the city. (See related articles here and here)
The 165 apartments, complete with 145 parking stalls and site improvements, are planned to be built immediately adjacent to the 76 gas station and 7-Eleven that has a 24-7 carwash on the corner of Hillcrest Avenue and E. Tregallas Road. Mayor Pro Tem and District 3 Councilman Don Freitas wanted the project to be redesigned with the apartments located on the other side of the 4.9-acre parcel. Mayor Ron Bernal was concerned about how the four-story apartment buildings would look. But due to the rezoning vote in 2022, the City Council has no say, and all of the CIH projects only require staff-level, administrative approval without any public input. The Hillcrest Summit Apartments project has already been approved by City staff.
The project is proposed to be 100% affordable with the following breakdown of affordability:
No City Financial Obligation
During the brief staff presentation for the agenda item, #4, Planning Manager Zoe Merideth explained, “The City will not have financial or legal obligation regarding the repayment of the debt.” But the Tax Equity Fiscal Responsibility Act of 1982 (“TEFRA”) and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 require the Council to hold a public hearing and vote to approve the financing for the project to receive the funds.
“This is a private loan with the borrower and the bank,” Meredith added. “Again, such adoption is solely for the purposes of satisfying TEFRA, Internal Revenue Code and California Government Code.”
According to the City staff report, the tax-exempt revenue bonds in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $50,000,000 to be issued by the California Municipal Finance Authority (CMFA) will be used to finance or refinance the acquisition, construction, improvement and equipping of the project and pay certain expenses incurred in connection with the issuance of the bonds.
Public Comments & Proponents’ Responses
A representative of the developer, Los Angeles-based Cypress Equity Investments, LLC, Garrett Borges, Vice President of Real Estate Development, and Jarod Suzuki, Financial Advisor for the CMFA, the bond issuer, said they were available to answer any questions.
During public comments, with three residents in favor and one against the project, Suzuki responded reiterating, “The City is not party on the transaction. As a part of our policy, we share 25 percent of our fees with the host city. It’s just a CMFA policy. We just give away some of our fees.”
According to the CMFA website, “The CMFA shares 25% of all issuance fees directly with its member communities. In addition, a grant equal to 25% of the issuance fee is made to the California Foundation for Stronger Communities (‘CFSC’) to fund charities designated by the member communities.”
Borges further explained, “These projects pay all of our impact fees as part of the development for the project…to help with the schools.”
“We hope that us developing this and providing these affordable units for the community is where the police officers and the teachers and those types of folks within the community that need a little help on their housing can come and be a part of the community,” he added. “So, hopefully a benefit to the community rather than a perceived blight.”
Council Questions, Concerns About Traffic Impacts, Lack of Parking Allowed by State Law
Freitas was first to speak saying, “It’s never been, for me, about providing affordable housing or providing this type of housing. But how did we get to this point? The public needs to understand what this project may or may not have.”
Planning Manager Meredith explained the project is one of the CIH sites and it “was administratively approved in the fall of 2025.”
“So, this property is zoned commercial?” the councilman asked.
“It could be either,” Meredith said. The underlying zoning is still commercial, but the CIH Overlay District allows for multi-family housing, she explained.
Freitas then asked about the “money coming back to the City of Antioch” and “the amount that will be.”
Bond-issuer representative Suzuki said, “Right now it’s roughly $15,000.”
Freitas then asked, “Can the City require police services on this parcel?”
Meredith responded, “The developer does pay impact fees and the City has a Community Facilities District for police.”
“Roughly, how much are we talking about? Would it pay for one officer,” Freitas asked.
Assistant City Attorney Kevin Kundinger responded, “I believe the CFD is about $300 per unit paid on a yearly basis.” That would amount to $49,500 per year total.
Freitas then mentioned his concerns that he shared with the developer “six or eight months ago” including the driveway access off Hillcrest Avenue.
“When I looked at this project, the first thing for me was safety,” he stated. “The traffic congestion is a Level F and just like high school, F means failure.”
Meredith pointed out there are two entrances and exits, with the other one on Shaddick Drive off E. Tregallas Road.
Freitas then asked, “Are there 165 parking spaces?”
“This project has 145 parking stalls,” Meredith shared.
“If one or two people have a car, there are not enough parking spaces, here to actually facilitate the people who live here and park there,” Freitas stated, then asked, “So, where are they going to go? They can’t park on Hillcrest. They cannot park on East Tregallas. The only place that they can park is Shaddick. So, what’s going to happen is the overflow cars are going to go into the neighborhoods. We will have residents coming down, screaming at us, ‘what’s wrong with you idiots, why did you ever approve this project? It has ruined our quality of life.’”
He also mentioned St. John’s Lutheran Church, which is across Shaddick Drive from the project saying, “They’re not going to be happy because their parishioners are going to have a difficult time finding parking.”
However, because the complex is located within a mile of a transit station, specifically the BART Station, state law allows for new multi-family housing developments to not include any parking.
Freitas then repeated his concern about the proximity of the project to the neighboring gas station, 7-11 and carwash saying, “The property line is a couple of feet from the commercial area. So, there will be fumes…noise, twenty-four-seven. You think the people living there are going to come to the council and scream at us? Yeah, they will.’ He then mentioned children living there and his concerns about walking into traffic or to the gas station.
“When I met with the representative, I shared these and a lot more issues,” the councilman continued. “Instead of building the project next to the property line, flip it over and there is room. ‘No, no. We don’t want to do that. That would be too expensive.’”
Freitas said he asked the developer about not providing enough parking. “Well, that’s what’s required. That’s what we’re going to do.”
“The area in blue, that is for the children,” he stated. “That little area, right next to cars that are going to be parking in that particular area. As a parent, that would scare me.”
“So, I made lots of recommendations and the expectation that as a good builder, that they would consider some of those suggestions, and they never, ever called me back,” Freitas stated.
“Now, how did we get here? It is state law,” he explained. “And we did create this and it was approved in 2022 (by the previous council) and we are stuck with it.”
“So…in April when the council basically said, ‘no’ to this…we get a letter from the Department of Housing and Community Development from the State of California,” Freitas stated. “Basically, because we’re now dealing with the mandates from the State of California to the local jurisdiction, that you all need to build a lot more affordable housing and if you do not approve this then, guess what? You will be out of compliance in your approved housing element.”
“What impact would that be to the City of Antioch if we did not have an approved housing element?” he asked Planning Manager Meredith.
“You would be subject to the builder’s remedy, for example, which would allow housing to be built anywhere in the city,” she explained. “You could be subject to fines and also increased scrutiny by HCD, for example.”
“I want to make sure you heard that,” Freitas then said to those sitting in the gallery. “A developer could come into the city and build whatever she or he wanted and none of us, here could raise an objection. What kind of projects do you think we’re going to get?”
Freitas then shared concerns about the height of the four-story project saying, “So, here we are at one of the most important entrances to the City of Antioch. You’re going to have a gas station and right behind that… you’re going to have a four-story…structure. It is so ugly. I do not want that monolith, there…and the color scheme is usually brown or a deep, deep grey. It is ugly, it is ugly, it is ugly. It is not something that I would embrace.”
“It’s not just coming before us and asking us to approve this funding,” he continued. “This project should never have been allowed. But it is and the State of California has basically said to us…we don’t care what you like or dislike. If you don’t do it, that shotgun we have at your head, we’ll pull the trigger.”
“So, tonight, frankly, we have no choice,” Freitas stated. “Because the alternative is even worse than this and that’s the tragedy from my perspective. Frankly, there’s ten of these projects, people…and I think it’s disgusting and I think it’s wrong.” (Actually, only five have been so far approved by staff. The council could rezone the other five CIH Overlay District parcels).
“Who am I holding responsible?” the councilman asked. “The State of California.”
District 1 Councilwoman Tamisha Torres-Walker, who voted for the overlay districts, spoke next asking, “So, are we voting to avoid a lawsuit? Do we need a motion or what are we doing?”
Freitas responded, “We have no choice.”
District 4 Councilwoman Monica Wilson, who also voted for the overlay districts, spoke next saying, “I agree whole-heartedly with…Mayor Pro Tem Freitas.” She then asked Acting City Manager Ana Cortez, “Is this even going to fulfill any of our RHNA requirements?”
She was referring to the Regional Housing Needs Allocation which, as previously reported, requires the City of Antioch to approve 3,016 more housing units between 2023 and 2031. They include 792 Very Low Income units (less than 50% of Area Median Income), 456 Low Income (50-80% AMI), 493 Moderate Income (80-120% AMI) and 1,275 Above Moderate Income (greater than 120% AMI) units based on the Area Median Income in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Meredith responded, “Yes. These count towards RHNA.”
Then repeating a question asked during public comments, Wilson asked staff, “Is it going to benefit…Antioch workforce residents…who are struggling, or first come, first served?”
Developer’s representative Borges responded, “We try to give priority where we can to Antioch residents. We’re obviously bound by fair housing laws. Those are very strict as far as how we are allowed to give preference.”
“We were happy and excited to fulfill what we thought was the council wishes to bring affordable housing to this site,” he continued, in response to the concerns raised by Freitas. He also said the City did a traffic study “and one of the ways we mitigate the impacts is paying a traffic impact fee which goes to the City to improve these intersections.” Regarding parking Borges said, “Because of our proximity to BART the State states, actually that we don’t have to have any parking as part of the project. We, as good developers, who will own and operate this, don’t think that that’s prudent or wise. So, we’ve fit as much parking as we could on the site.”
District 2 Councilman Louie Rocha then said, “To clarify, this item is not to approve or deny the project. This is a TEFRA hearing. Should we vote this down…they can also go to the County, I believe, or to the State and get the bonds elsewhere and we would be subject to the consequences you alluded to, earlier,” directing his comments to Freitas.
“So, I’m not crazy about the project for the reasons you stated,” he continued. “But we are here to talk about the bonds being issued, yes or no. Not about whether we are accepting or denying the project. I am in favor of affordable housing because it’s necessary in the community.”
Rocha then made the motion to approve the bonds.
But before a second was entertained, Mayor Ron Bernal asked if “the applicant had addressed the issues” raised at the council meeting in April
“I believe the applicant is willing to work with us on the aesthetics, including the siding, to make it a neutral green, rather than the grey,” Meredith responded. “I have some driveway improvements on Hillcrest, as well.”
Freitas then seconded the motion saying, “I’m going to second because we have to,” and it passed 5-0.
See staff report and project details. See project plans. Watch the Council meeting video of the item beginning at the 2:34:40 mark.
Publisher @ July 1, 2026
Posted in: Obituary | Comments (0)
Florence “Chickie” Virginia Rundall, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend, passed away surrounded by the love of her family. She was born on October 1, 1940, in Miami Beach, Florida, where she spent her early years before beginning a remarkable life of service, family and adventure.
As a young woman, Florence attended the Washington School for Secretaries in Washington, D.C. Following her graduation, she had the honor of serving in the secretarial pool for President John F. Kennedy, an experience she cherished throughout her life.
In December 1962, Florence married the love of her life, Dennis Rundall. Together they built a beautiful marriage filled with love, laughter, and countless adventures spanning more than six decades.
Florence and Dennis were blessed with three sons: Daniel (Denise), Frank, and John (Emily). Her greatest joy was her family. She was a proud grandmother to Beth (Kelly), Daniel (Montana), David Jay (Ashley), Crystal (Travis), David (Anne), Josiah, Wesley (Elise), James (Lauren), Levi, Deanna, Noah, Hannah, and Dillon. She was also blessed with ten great-grandchildren. Nothing made Chickie happier than spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, celebrating milestones, sharing stories, and creating memories that will live on for generations.
Florence dedicated about 25 years of service to the City of Antioch, where she served as Deputy City Clerk before later becoming City Clerk. She took great pride in her work and was respected for her professionalism, integrity, and dedication to serving her community.
After retirement, Florence and Dennis embraced their love of travel. Together they explored nearly every corner of the United States in their motorhome, making lifelong memories on the open road before eventually settling in Oakley, California. Whether visiting new places or enjoying quiet moments at home, they treasured every adventure they shared together.
Florence will be remembered for her warm heart, unwavering devotion to her family, quiet strength, and generous spirit. She had a gift for making everyone feel welcome, and her kindness touched the lives of all who knew her.
She leaves behind a legacy of love, faith, service, and family that will continue to inspire those fortunate enough to have known her. Though she will be deeply missed, her memory will forever live on in the hearts of her husband, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, extended family, and dear friends.
Family and friends are invited to celebrate Florence “Chickie” Rundall’s life on Saturday, July 25, at the Pittsburg Elks Lodge (200 Marina Blvd), from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. We welcome all who knew and loved Chickie to join us in honoring her life, sharing memories, and celebrating the lasting impact she had on so many. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to the family.
Publisher @ June 30, 2026
Posted in: CHP, Holiday, News, Travel | Comments (0)
Speeding continues to endanger lives on California roadways, making it a priority for the California Highway Patrol in its efforts to make roads safer.
By Jaime Coffee, CHP Director of Communications Office of Media Relations
SACRAMENTO— The California Highway Patrol (CHP) is reminding motorists to slow down and drive responsibly as they head out for Independence Day celebrations statewide. To address unsafe driving and keep California’s roads safe, the CHP will conduct a Holiday Enforcement Period (HEP) from July 2 at 6 p.m. to July 5 at 11:59 p.m., with an emphasis on combating speeding.
During last year’s 78-hour Independence Day HEP, CHP officers responded to more than 850 speed-related crashes. Tragically, at least seven of those collisions resulted in the loss of life, and nearly 400 crashes resulted in injuries to those involved. In addition, CHP officers made 1,311 arrests for driving under the influence – an average of one DUI arrest every three and a half minutes.
“Reckless driving and speeding continue to endanger lives on California’s roadways,” said CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee. “As families and friends travel this holiday weekend, we urge everyone to slow down, be considerate of others and make responsible choices behind the wheel. Getting there safely is what matters most.”
Higher Speeds, Greater Consequences
Speeding is dangerous – it slows reaction time, increases stopping distance and crash severity, and can lead to serious, even fatal, consequences. According to the CHP’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System, an average of more than 115,000 collisions in California each year are attributed to speed. The data also shows that speeding contributes to about 600 traffic-related deaths statewide each year.
During this Independence Day HEP, the CHP will continue using 100 low-profile, specially marked patrol vehicles to target dangerous driving behaviors on California’s highways. These vehicles blend into traffic, allowing officers to identify reckless drivers before taking enforcement action. Since their deployment last year, CHP officers operating these vehicles have issued over 59,000 speed-related citations statewide.
Pilot Program Targets Speeds
In December 2025, the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and the CHP launched a pilot program to swiftly take action against drivers caught traveling more than 100 mph, aiming to reduce potentially deadly crashes. The FAST (Forwarded Actions for Speeding Tickets) program automatically refers drivers to the DMV for review – independent of any court proceedings – to determine whether immediate action, such as license suspension or revocation, is warranted.
According to the DMV, the CHP submitted more than 3,200 FAST referrals between January and May 2026 for drivers engaging in speeding and high-risk driving behavior. The DMV responded with more than 3,000 suspension and re-examination actions, 94.3% of which were upheld after administrative review and hearings, demonstrating the program’s effectiveness in identifying drivers who pose a significant risk to public safety.
Simple Steps to Help Save Lives
To help prevent crashes and save lives this Independence Day weekend, the CHP encourages everyone to take the following safety precautions:
The mission of the CHP is to provide the highest level of Safety, Service and Security.
Publisher @ June 30, 2026
Posted in: History, News, Parks, Real Estate | Comments (0)
Free historic public event commemorates one of the most significant survey monuments in the American West
By Mount Diablo State Park & Public Land Survey System Foundation
Join us on July 18, 2026, for a day-long public celebration commemorating the history and enduring importance of one of the West’s most significant surveying landmarks and an important day in California mapping history.
On a hot summer day in 1851 Colonel Leander Ransom and his survey crew carried their equipment to the top of Mount Diablo and established the Mount Diablo Initial Point – the starting point for mapping property lines for much of California and all of Nevada.
Celebrate the 175th anniversary of the Initial Point with us…explore antique and modern surveying equipment, visit information booths, enjoy hands-on exhibits showcasing the science and practice of land surveying and activities designed to introduce younger visitors to the profession. Land surveyors and historians will be on hand to demonstrate equipment and answer questions about the history and significance of the Initial Point and Mount Diablo’s prominence. Guided tours will point out the original survey monuments housed inside the Summit Visitor Center.
The free educational event will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Summit Upper Lot in Mount Diablo State Park. Visitors of all ages are invited to experience interactive exhibits, historical surveying demonstrations, educational presentations, and family-friendly activities that illustrate the vital role surveying has played in the development of California and Nevada.
According to The Center for Land Use Interpretation, the Mount Diablo Initial Point “is one of 37 federal survey points of origin covering the USA (outside of the 13 original colonies), known as Initial Points, selected over the course of 150 years, to anchor newly acquired federal land to the legal and cartographic grid.
“Most Initial Points are created incidentally, as baselines (and sometimes the meridians) are usually created first, with one end anchored on relatively immutable geographic features, such as the confluence of rivers, or latitudinal lines. The west has a number of exceptions, where prominent peaks were selected to be Initial Points, and then base-lines and meridians were drawn from them, as their visibility from great distances aided the surveyor’s task. Such was the case with Mount Diablo, an isolated mound rising above the surrounding valley, east of the San Francisco Bay area.”
“Mount Diablo has the most elaborate commemorative architectures of all the Initial Points. The building at the top of the mountain, built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s, contains a small museum and encloses a monument built on top of the summit. The building itself extends the peak another 45 feet in elevation. A concrete column, built at the same time as the rest of the structure, sits atop the exposed bedrock of the summit and continues through the ceiling to a viewing gallery on the level above where it is topped with a brass plate. The rock of the actual summit is exposed at the base of the concrete column. An opening at the base of the column was provided to allow access to the exact spot from which the survey was conducted, marked now by a copper bolt head left from a 1876 triangulation station.”
According to the Mount Diablo Surveyors Historical Society, “California has three initial points; Mount Diablo Base and Meridian (est. 1851) (center), San Bernardino Base and Meridian (est. 1852) (bottom), and Humboldt Base and Meridian (est. 1853) (top). Initial points are the starting points, and were established to describe and enable the government to sell public lands covering California and Nevada which were part of the Public Lands Survey System (PLSS).”
Visitors are encouraged to bring lunch, snacks, drinks and sunscreen and plan to spend the day enjoying the mountaintop setting while learning about one of California’s most enduring historical landmarks.
California State Parks, the Mount Diablo Surveyors Historical Society and Mount Diablo Interpretive Association are presenting this event and invite visitors to drop in between 10am-4pm at the Summit Visitor Center parking lot. Parking in this lot will be very limited. Please follow signs to park in the lower parking lot. There is a $10 per vehicle park entry fee, but no charge for the event.
For more information about the Public Land Survey System Foundation visit www.plssfoundation.org.
Click for more information about Mount Diablo State Park or www.facebook.com/MountDiabloStatePark#.
Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.
Publisher @ June 29, 2026
Posted in: Arts & Entertainment, Fairs & Festivals, History, Rivertown | Comments (0)
Plus, Farenhyte 5150 R&B Funk & Party Band
By City of Antioch Recreation Department
America’s 250th Independence Day Celebration in Antioch on Saturday, July 4th will feature live entertainment in Waldie Plaza, in historic, downtown Rivertown.
Kalimba – 7:30 PM – 9:15 PM Waldie Plaza Stage
Some music doesn’t just play — it moves you. It pulls you back to the first time you heard it, when a groove locked in and never let go. Kalimba, The Spirit delivers exactly that: a full-scale, fully live tribute to the legendary Earth Wind & Fire that doesn’t just honor the legacy — it resurrects it.
Born from a deep reverence for the late, great Maurice White and the galaxy of sound he built, Kalimba, The Spirit is an internationally touring production that captures everything that made EWF the most electrifying live act of a generation. The soaring falsetto. The thunderous horns. The lush, interlocking harmonies. The bass lines that roll through your chest like a freight train. All of it — live, authentic, and unapologetically powerful.
Talent buyers take note: this is a production, not a cover band. Kalimba, The Spirit brings a full stage and lighting show built to command the largest rooms, with vocal performances that authentically replicate Philip Bailey’s signature high notes, the thick three-part harmonies of Maurice and Ralph Johnson, and Verdine White’s iconic, grooving bass lines driving it all forward.
The credentials speak volumes. Kalimba has graced historic theaters, major music festivals, state fairs, casinos, and premier corporate events across the globe — including a landmark performance alongside the Village People at the 2020 Dubai Expo and sharing the stage with Sister Sledge in Egypt in 2023. Wherever they perform, one thing is guaranteed: the audience leaves on its feet.
Expect to hear the songs that defined an era: September, Boogie Wonderland, Shining Star, Let’s Groove, After the Love Has Gone, That’s the Way of the World, Fantasy, Sing a Song, Getaway, Reasons, Devotion, Can’t Hide Love, Love’s Holiday — and that’s just the beginning of the night.
Kalimba, The Spirit. Feel it all over again.
Boogie Wonderland, Let’s Groove, Shining Star, After the Love Has Gone, and more. This isn’t a cover act — it’s an experience. Feel it all over again.
Farenhyte 5150 – 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM Waldie Plaza Stage
Entertainment will also include Farenhyte 5150 – a powerhouse ensemble renowned for delivering high-octane performances that capture the raw energy and polished precision of a live concert experience. What sets them apart is their uncanny ability to sound exactly like the original records, a feat made possible by a lineup of elite musicians who have toured and recorded with multi-platinum artists. Their collective pedigree shines through in every note, stunning audiences with a professional sound that is as flawless as it is infectious. Whether they are hitting a complex groove or a soaring anthem, Farenhyte 5150 commands the stage, guaranteed to get the entire room up and dancing.
Fireworks Show
The fireworks show over the river are scheduled to start at 9:20 p.m.
For the full schedule of events visit Antioch to celebrate America’s 250th Independence Day Saturday, July 4th | Antioch Herald. For more information visit www.antiochca.gov/221/Fourth-of-July-Celebration.
Publisher @ June 29, 2026
© 2026 Antioch Herald - Entries (RSS) - Comments (RSS) - Log in
Theme design by Christian Gnoth - 
