By Patrick McCarran

You may love your home, but that doesn’t mean that everyone coming through the door will feel the same way. Everyone has their own particular tastes and style. When selling a home the goal is to allow the buyer to see themselves in the homes and help give them a vision of what they can do to make it their Home.

1. Don’t be too personal: Home staging is meant to create a neutral canvas that will appeal to the majority of buyers. Staging is all about de-personalizing the space, and creating more of a look that will appeal to most everyone. This is not the time to bring in your unique style and create a look that appeals to just you.

2. Use neutral colors: If painting, you should choose nice neutral and warm beige tones. You’ll be amazed at the transformation a few coats of fresh paint will make on your home.

3. Take advantage of natural light: People love natural light, so don’t block any light with heavy curtains or furniture. Accentuate any attractive views. Anything dated in a home is a turn-off to a potential buyer and window treatments are one of them. Don’t be afraid to take down the curtains and just use the blind or just leave the valance.

4. Less is more: Scale down your furniture to be in balance with the scale of the room. Remember that the purpose of furniture when selling a home is to define the purpose of the room and to show what will fit where.

5. Take a look outside: People care about the outside space just as much as the inside, so add flowers, add bark or rocks, make sure the lawn is mowed, the yard is tidy and add a few backyard accessories.

6. Stage ALL rooms: People are quick to stage living rooms and kitchens and but don’t forget to spruce up the bedrooms, flex space and closets as well.

7. Don’t forget fixtures: When staging a home, it’s important to ensure all lights are burning with fresh bulbs, and that all fixtures are working.

Remember, staging a home means showcasing the property’s many features, not concealing its flaws. Make sure your house is in good condition and use staging to cast the home in the best light.

Patrick McCarran is a local Realtor/ Broker and can be reached at (925) 899-5536 or www.CallPatrick.com. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Drysdale Properties an independently owned and operated franchisee of BHHS Affiliates, LLC.. Equal Housing Opportunity.

By Allen Payton

Sean Shinn started in scouting in second grade. A few months later he met Josie Monaghan, founder of the East County Veterans Thrift Stores in downtown Antioch, at the 9-11 Memorial event and kept in constant contact.

“I’ve been around vets my entire life,” Shinn, now a junior at Antioch High and a member of Troop 151, said. “So, helping Josie would be amazing since she’s been helping every veteran that’s come back. I helped her with her store when she was starting out.”

So when it came to do a project to earn the rank of Eagle Scout, he contacted Josie. Shinn had already done two other projects at the [Veterans] Peer Counseling Center, including making a brochure rack, for the self-help mentoring. Plus, he organized the books they already had.

One of the ideas was a box for collecting American flags that are torn, tattered or faded, so they can be properly disposed of.

“They’re no longer fit for duty, according to the Flag Code,” Shinn shared. “They’re then retired.”

That’s done in two ways, either by burning or burying the flag.

He built the box and installed it in February, this year and a variety of flags have already been deposited in the box.

Shinn spoke of properly retiring a flag.

“It has to be done respectfully,” he shared. “Only Boy Scouts or military are authorized to do a flag retirement ceremony.”

He is almost done earning his desired rank.

“I have a couple more things to do,” Shinn stated. “One more merit badge and then my Eagle Scout Board of Review. Then I’m there. Hopefully in the next couple months.”

His future plans include military service with hopes of attending the Naval Academy.

If you have a worn American flag, you can bring it the East County Veterans Thrift Store at 522 West Second Street in Antioch and place it in Shinn’s flag box. It will be disposed of properly.

Residents and business owners are invited to learn how a Community Choice Energy (CCE) program can allow the city to buy electrical power from renewable sources (such as solar and wind) in partnership with PG&E for delivery and maintenance.

An Antioch CCE has the potential to reduce residential and commercial electrical bills, reduce Antioch’s carbon footprint and provide for new green developments, businesses and jobs within Antioch.

The meeting, sponsored by Contra Costa Clean Energy Alliance, will be held Tuesday, July 7th at 6:00 p.m. at the Antioch Library, 501 W. 18th St. For more information call Harry Thurston at (925) 303-9482.

By Luke Johnson

Deer Valley High School, in Antioch, CA, has hired Robert Hubbard to be interim head coach of varsity football team, following the departure of Richard Woods, who had been in charge of the program for 11 years. Woods had an impressive 75-34 regular season record with the Wolverines.

Despite many rumors and speculations, there has been no confirmation by administration or district officials as to why Woods is gone. The only thing clear is that players expressed their displeasure with Woods through many outlets, especially Twitter, throughout last season, and now he is no longer with the team, at least temporarily. Vice Principal Tim Cooper said the football program was under investigation in November. As of now, Hubbard’s position is not permanent, meaning he has to apply for it again, when the season is over.

Around the area, Hubbard is most well known for holding Diablo Valley College’s single-season rushing record of 1,518 yards, which he set in 2003. He went on to play for the University of Nevada where he had 2,403 all-purpose yards and 21 touchdowns in two seasons.

After his playing career, Hubbard became the varsity running back and defensive back coach, along with taking double-duty as the JV head coach, and special education assistant at Northgate High School in Walnut Creek. He left to focus on earning his teaching credential and master’s degree, and then started working at Deer Valley last year as a special education teacher. When he heard a head coaching position was available, he jumped at the opportunity.

“It’s a dream come true,” Hubbard said. “It’s a wonderful opportunity to give back and give something to the kids, who are in similar situations that I was in, being a student athlete and having aspirations in going to college.”

The Wolverines look to build off last year’s record of 4-6 (0-5 in league) with an experienced roster. The team only had five returning players in 2014, but expects to have about 25 returning this season. Standout performers consist of a group of seniors, including running back Rai-Shyan Alexander, quarterback Devin Gould, linebacker Brandon Faatalale and lineman Troy Decuir.

Antioch, CA – Recognizing that water recycling is a critical part of a larger, comprehensive approach to addressing California’s drought crisis, Congressman Jerry McNerney (CA-09) announced on Thursday, July 2, that he would introduce legislation calling on Congress to authorize 27 additional regional water recycling projects. To highlight this announcement, McNerney toured Delta Diablo, the site for one of the water recycling projects he believes needs to be authorized.

“I’m calling on Congress and introducing legislation to authorize more regional water projects – because expanding water recycling is one component of a comprehensive solution needed to address California’s long-term drought challenges,” said McNerney. “In this extreme drought, California communities a struggling to conserve the limited water available. That’s why it’s important to continue investing in water recycling technologies that treat wastewater and augment current supplies. Funding these projects creates additional water supplies available to ease pressure off the Delta, irrigate public spaces, grow crops, increase the potable water supply, and support environmental restoration.”

These 27 projects, when funded, can provide over 100,000 acre feet of new water – enough water to meet the needs for over half a million residents. These water projects need Congressional authorization in order to compete for Title XVI construction funds through the Bureau of Reclamation.

“We thank Congressman McNerney for his leadership in introducing legislation which will proactively support new drought-tolerant water sources while protecting the Delta.” said Gary Darling, spokesperson for the Western Recycled Water Coalition.

Developing recycled water reduces dependence on Delta supplies. Recycled water projects like Delta Diablo improve water supply reliability, and reduce wastewater discharge into the fragile Bay-Delta environment.

When constructed, the Delta Diablo Recycled Water Project will provide more than 4,000 acre-feet per year of recycled water to municipal, commercial, and industrial users in Antioch and Pittsburg – equivalent to meeting the water needs of 16,000 households.

“We need to look at bold, forward-thinking solutions that use new technology and scientific advancements to improve the management and conservation of California’s water supply. This will better prepare communities for severe drought conditions in the future,” added McNerney.

List of 27 Water Recycling Projects

Delta Diablo recycled water project – serving Antioch

Delta Diablo high purity water treatment facility – serving Antioch

Brentwood recycled water project

Ironhouse Sanitary District Cypress recycled water project – serving Oakley

Ironhouse Sanitary District industrial recycled water project – serving Oakley

Ironhouse Sanitary District direct potable reuse project – serving Oakley

Benicia recycled water project to Valero refinery

Central Dublin recycled water distribution and retrofit project

Central Redwood City recycled water project

Concord recycled water project

Contra Costa County refinery recycled water project, phase 1

Dublin recycled water expansion project

Fresno east central recycled water facility

Fresno downtown recycled water distribution

Fresno southwest recycled water distribution

Hayward recycled water project

Monterey peninsula groundwater replenishment project, phase 1

Mountain View recycled water project.

North Valley regional recycled water project

Palo Alto recycled water pipeline project

Pleasanton recycled water project

Potable Reuse in Santa Clara County, phase 1

San Jose Water Company recycled water project

Sunnyvale continuous recycled water production project

West Bay Sanitary District Recycled Water Project

Wolfe Road recycled water project

Yountville recycled water project