In brief: Walnut Creek to celebrate Olympic gold win for wrestler Elor

WALNUT CREEK

The city of Walnut Creek has invited residents to a celebration in honor of Olympic wrestling gold medalist Amit Elor, hosted by the City Council at 1 p.m. Saturday in Civic Park.

Mayor Pro Tem Cindy Darling will serve as master of ceremonies at the event, which will also include a question-and-answer session with Elor and a chance for residents to take photos with her. Elor, 20, who won gold at this year’s Paris Olympics, has lived in Walnut Creek for nearly all of her life and still trains at a local gym.

The city is lucky to have two women who brought gold to their hometown of Walnut Creek in the Paris Olympics. Walnut Creek’s other gold medal winner is basketball player Sabrina Ionescu, and a celebration in her honor will take place later this year.

Ionescu is currently playing for the New York Liberty, one of the WNBA teams on its way to the playoffs. Saturday’s event for Elor will be near the gazebo in Civic Park, which is 1375 Civic Drive. For details or to RSVP online, visit bit.ly/4d7dJxq.

— city of Walnut Creek

SAN RAMON

Brothers who received heart transplants taking part in 5K

Two Contra Costa County brothers, Brian and Paul Elliott, received heart transplants within the same year and together plan Saturday to complete the annual Donor Network West Foundation Run/Walk in San Ramon to raise awareness for organ donation.

Antioch’s Brian Elliott was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy, a genetic disorder that can lead to heart failure. Even after a pacemaker and defibrillator were implanted, Brian continued experiencing health issues. He received a life-saving heart transplant in June 2016.

Just a year after Brian received his transplant, Pleasant Hill’s Paul Elliott also tested positive for cardiomyopathy and was placed on the transplant waiting list for a heart. On his birthday, Oct. 28, 2017, he was notified he had a match and underwent transplant surgery the following day.

Since their transplants, the Elliott brothers have celebrated their second chances at life with friends and loved ones at the annual Donor Network West Foundation Run/Walk. They encourage community members to join them at this year’s event by registering for it online at DonorNetworkWest.org/5k-run-walk.

— Donor Network West

PITTSBURG

Adult Education Center’s annual fall career fair on Sept. 25

More than 35 employers will be at the Pittsburg Adult Education Center’s annual fall career fair from 10 a.m. to noon Sept. 25. No registration is required for this free event, where plenty of also-free parking will be available at the Pittsburg Adult Education Center at 1151 Stoneman Ave.

Come dressed for success, and bring plenty of resumes. For more information, contact Career Center Director George Provol at gprovol@pittsburgusd.net or 925-473-2400, ext. 4964.

— George Provol

Third annual Festa Italia to be Oct. 5 at downtown theater

An array of entertainment is planned for the third annual Festa Italia and street festival Oct. 5 in front of the Pittsburg California Theatre in the city’s downtown.

The event from 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. will feature Italian food, a spaghetti-eating contest, vendors, family activities and music by Pasqule Esposita, Vaness Racci, The Expositiones, Anthony Lane Band and 831 Allstars. The Fratello Marionettes are also scheduled to present a show.

Festivities will take place on Railroad Avenue between Third and Fourth streets. Sponsors include the Pittsburg California Theatre, Italian American Club of Pittsburg, the city of Pittsburg and more. For more information, go to festaitaliapittsburgca.com.

— Pittsburg California Theatre

LAFAYETTE

Learn about state’s ballot proposition in Sept. 26 webinar

Confused about California’s Nov. 5 ballot propositions? Want to learn quickly about them in depth and through a nonpartisan lens? Join a Community Conversations webinar at 4 p.m. Sept. 26.

Janet Hoy and Sue Brandy of the Lafayette-based League of Women Voters of Diablo Valley (LWVDV) will give the positions for and against the propositions on your ballot based on the league’s research.

The moderators will present information about major funding sources supporting the propositions and answer attendees’ questions about the initiatives and legislative measures on this fall’s state ballot. Register for the Zoom webinar online at bit.ly/3zlxtjc.

The Contra Costa County Library system will provide closed captioning and simultaneous Spanish interpretation for this event, which will be recorded and uploaded to the library system’s YouTube channel afterward.

Information on how to access the Zoom webinar will be sent to your email address 24 hours before the program. Audience questions will be collected and answered through the Zoom Q&A tab.

Community Conversations are sponsored by the LWVDV, the League of Women Voters of West Contra Costa County, the Contra Costa County Library system and Contra Costa TV. Email programs@lwvdv.org for more information.

— LWVDV

CONCORD

Arts, culture experience returning for third season Oct. 5-6

Creative Concord, in partnership with Local Edition Creative, is excited to return for its third season in Concord. Taking place from noon to 6 p.m. Oct. 5-6, Creative Concord is an annual arts and culture experience tailored specifically for Concord residents.

Event organizers are seeking volunteers for two time slots on each day: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 3 to 7 p.m. Don’t worry, no hard labor is required! Volunteers would simply staff the Creative Concord tent or the hospitality tent, and “roamers” would be asked to help out where needed.

Working in partnership with Visit Concord and city staff, the event was established as a multiday public art experience that engages a wide local demographic to unite via arts programming that includes murals, sculptures, music and performing arts.

This is a fun way to be a part of the action! Email info@creativeconcordca.com to learn more. For online details, visit creativeconcordca.com/art-music-jam.

— city of Concord

Food recovery group cuts ribbon, opens new headquarters

White Pony Express (WPE), a food recovery organization founded by Dr. Carol Weyland Conner, held a ribbon cutting ceremony Aug. 23 at its new Concord headquarters. WPE officials say this move underscores the group’s dedication to combating hunger by rescuing and redistributing fresh, nutritious food.

The new facility is designed to enhance WPE’s ability to meet the growing demand for healthy food across the county. About 250 attendees, including numerous government officials, participated in the event. Notable speakers included Eve Birge, WPE’s chief executive officer; Carlyn Obringer, Concord’s vice mayor; Pittsburg Councilmember Shanelle Scales-Preston (representing U.S. Rep. Mark DeSaulnier, D-Concord); and Walker Lambert, the spiritual director of Sufism Reoriented.

WPE delivers food to 98 organizations, rescues food from 75 outlets and is supported by more than 700 volunteers. All services are provided free of charge.

“Demand for WPE’s fresh food deliveries has surged,” Birge said. “WPE’s motto — ‘all of us taking care of all of us’ — comes to life every day as volunteers stream into our distribution center and carefully sort and curate deliveries of high-quality food. Our new headquarters allows us to expand this impactful volunteer-powered model.”

— WEP

WALNUT CREEK

Apply for 2024 Civic Pride Foundation grants by Oct. 4

The Walnut Creek Civic Pride Foundation (WCCPF) is accepting applications for its 2024 Community Grant Program. Ranging from $250 to $3,000, the grants will be for community-based recreation, cultural or educational programs and services provided by Walnut Creek nonprofit groups.

The online grant application system is available through the Civic Pride website (wccivicpride.org), and the application deadline is Oct. 4.

— WCCPF

OAKLEY

Register for suicide prevention walk Oct. 12 at Civic Center

The Oakley chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) is hosting an Out of the Darkness Walk on Oct. 12 at Oakley’s Civic Center Plaza. Register today for this community event designed to raise awareness and fundraise for suicide prevention.

Organizers of the this gathering welcome participants of all ages, including kids and friendly dogs, to unite in support of mental health and honor those affected by suicide. Join us to promote hope and healing together. Feel free to refer to our website for FAQ’s or contact the AFSP Oakley chapter’s chair for more information.

For online details or to register, visit bit.ly/4bWxxDn.

— Vei Uesi, AFSP Oakley chapter

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