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Classes/Workshops

Social Media and Email Marketing Workshop: 1-3 p.m. Dec. 14, Brentwood Community Center, 35 Oak St. Learn how to find and keep customers using vertical response email marketing, how to market effectively via social media sites including Facebook, You Tube, Twitter and Pinterest. Sponsored by the Contra Costa Small Business Development Center. Free. Reservations required: 925-602-6805, www.contracostasbdc.com.

Growth Funding for Your Small Business: 4:30-6:30 p.m. Dec. 19, Pittsburg Civic Center, council chambers, 65 Civic Ave. Successful business owners have strong relationships with their lenders, understand the cost of capital and how to best leverage their operations for growth. Learn more about how to navigate the commercial lending process. Free. Reservations required: 925-602-6805, www.contracostasbdc.com.

Welcome to Medicare: 2-4:30 p.m. Dec. 19, Liberty Adult Education Center, 929 Second St., Brentwood. A free class presented by the Contra Costa County Health Insurance Counsel and Advocacy Program covering Medicare benefits, prescription medication coverage, Medicare advantage plans (HMOs), and private Medicare supplemental insurance. We will also discuss how Medicare coordinates with employee retiree, veterans, union benefits and more. 925-634-2565, libertyadulted.org,

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Biddy Sports Indoor Soccer: Begins Feb. 3-March 10, Sundays. The Ambrose Recreation and Park District is offering a noncompetitive six-week soccer program for kids ages 3-6 year. $25. Each child receives a T-shirt and award Ambrose Community Center, 3105 Willow Pass Road, Bay Point. Sign-ups are now open. Space is limited. Parent volunteer coaches needed; training provided. For information and registration, call Julie Mason, 925-522-9284 or go to www.biddysports.com.

Free ELS classes: Learn the English language at free classes offered 10 a.m.-noon Saturdays ongoing, Golden Hills Community Church, Antioch Campus, 1800 Woodland Drive. No registration required.

Free Internet Access: Opportunity Junction offers free Internet access for job searches, finding community resources and language learning 6-9 p.m. Monday-Thursdays. Also offers English as a Second Language classes 6-9 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays ongoing. 3102 Delta Fair Blvd., Antioch. 925-776-1133, www.opportunityjunction.org.

Liberty Adult School classes: Offers morning and evening General Educational Development (GED) preparation and English as Second Language (ELS) classes. Ongoing open enrollment. 929 Second St., Brentwood. www.libertyadulted.org, 925-634-6525 for more information.

Events

Antioch Dunes National Refuge tours: A docent-lead one-hour tour 10 a.m. second Saturdays ongoing. The refuge provides protection for three endangered species: Lange's Metalmark butterfly, Antioch Dunes evening primrose and Contra Costa wallflower. Free. 707-769-4200, www.fws.gov/sfbayrefuges/antioch.

Holiday on Ice: 12:30-10:30 p.m. through Jan. 21, Streets of Brentwood, 2565 Sand Creek Road. Ice skating for the whole family. $12 weekdays, $15 weekends and holidays. For group rates and information, got to www.brentwoodholidayonice.

Christmas concert: 6 p.m. Dec. 8-9, First Missionary Baptist Church, 640 E. Tregallas Road, Antioch. An evening with the message of Christmas for everyone. Information: 925-757-8449.

Bethel Island Lighted Boat Parade: Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive 3:30 p.m. Dec. 8 with parade at 5 p.m., beginning at the San Joaquin Yacht Club, 5550 Riverview Place, and proceeding clockwise around the island. Parents can bring a wrapped gift for Santa to give to your child. A hamburger lunch will be served 4:15 p.m. $5, free for children younger than 5. Ken Centoni, 925-625-1999 or email announcer44@comcast.net.

Holiday Run & Walk for Health & Health Fair: Registration 7:30 a.m. Dec. 8. This year the event will feature participation challenges for schools, libraries and law enforcement organizations. Vendors will provide health testing, fitness information and healthy food and drink sampling. The first race begins 9 a.m. with a one-mile run, 9:30 a.m. for the 10K run, 9:35 a.m. for the 3-mile run, and the Kids Dash 10:15 a.m. Contra Loma Regional Park, 1200 Frederickson Lane, Antioch. Registration and fee information: www.holidayrun.org.

Bay Point Breakfast with Santa: 8-11 a.m. Dec. 8, Ambrose Community Center, 3105 Willow Pass Road, Bay Point. A pancake breakfast, music, holiday treats for good boys and girls and pictures with Santa. $3, children 12 and younger free. 925-458-1601 or visit www.ambroserec.org.

Brunch with Santa: Noon and 2 p.m. seatings Dec. 8, Black Bear Diner, 3201 Main St., Oakley. Sponsored by the city of Oakley. Bring your camera for a picture with Santa. Adults $8.75; children 12 and younger $6.75. Registration is required. Cindy, 925625-7044 or coelho@ci.oakley.ca.us.

Santa's Helper Shop 'til You Drop Daycare: Noon-5 p.m. Dec. 8, Brentwood Community Center, 35 Oak St. Finish up your holiday shopping without the children in tow. Drop off your children ages 4-10 for games, arts and crafts, decorating gingerbread houses, watching movies, pizza and more. $25 for residents and $30 for nonresidents; each additional child $10 for residents, $15 for nonresidents. Registration and information, 925-516-5444.

Chabad of the Delta-Light Up The Night: 4 p.m. Dec. 9, Streets of Brentwood, 2565 Sand Creek Road, Brentwood. Join others for the third annual public Menorah lighting. Enjoy music, latkes, jelly doughnuts, dreidels, arts, crafts and more. Free. 925-238-8770, rabbi@jewishdelta.com.

Bunco at the Antioch Historical Society Museum: 7 p.m. Dec. 11, 1500 W. Fourth St. $15 includes buy-in, cash prizes and refreshments. Liz Martin, 925-420-5775, 925-989-4110.

East Contra Costa Republican Women Federated Holiday Luncheon: 11:30 a.m. Dec. 12, Discovery Bay Country Club, 1475 Clubhouse Drive. Bring unwrapped toys donations for Toys for Tots. Activities include a performance by the Liberty High School Choral Group, boutique, installation of officers, more. Guests welcome. RSVP by Dec. 9. 925-634-5404.

Bay Point Holiday Tree Lighting: 5:30-7:30 p.m. Dec. 13, Ambrose Community Center, 3105 Willow Pass Road, Bay Point. Free carriage rides, holiday singing, season's greetings with elected officials, recreation program demonstrations, pictures with Santa and more. For information, call 925-458-1601 or go to www.ambroserec.org.

Primitive Skills and Natural History of Los Vaqueros: 10 a.m.-noon Dec. 15. Learn the history of the native people who lived in the Los Vaqueros area many years ago. Discover the skills they used every day including the making of cordage, grinding acorns, drilling beads and more. Meet at the John Muir Interpretive Center, 100 Walnut Blvd., Byron. Parking fees of $4-$6 apply. 925-240-2440, www.ccwater.com/losvaqueros.

Fundraisers

Discovery Bay Elementary School Holiday Boutique: 4-8 p.m. Dec. 7, 1700 Willow Lake Road. Proceeds benefit the PTA. A variety of vendors including Pampered Chef, Today's Soaps and More, Mary Kay, Custom Crochet by Beverly and more. $10 for vendor tables. 925-783-8644.

Lumpy's Diner hosts Jeremy Newberry's Fifth annual Toy Drive: Drop off unwrapped toys for children in need 8-10:30 a.m. Dec. 8, Lumpy's Diner, 615 Railroad Ave., Pittsburg. A car cruise begins 10 a.m. at the diner and ends at Lumpy's Diner, 5891 Lone Tree Way, Antioch, where the toy collection will continue along with a car and bike show 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Other activities include awards, tri-tip barbecue and a special appearance by Jeremy Newberry. Car entry fee is $20 or an unwrapped toy. Barbecue $20. For information or registration, call 925-778-5867.

Freedom High School Holiday Boutique: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Dec. 8, 1050 Neroly Road, Oakley. Santa photos, holiday treats, vendors, more. Bring your unwanted gold and silver and receive cash on the spot. Fun for the whole family. Sponsored by the Freedom High School Parent-Teacher-Student Association. Proceeds benefit school programs. 925-625-5900.

Antioch Woman's Club Christmas Home Tour: 12-4 p.m.; reception 2:30-5:30 p.m. Dec. 9. Tour festively decorated homes for the holiday season. Raffle with a chance to win a Kindle Fire and a $50 Amazon gift card. Admission $30. Earline, 925-757-8771; Sandy, 925-754-8771; Juan, 925-360-0562; Denise, 925-779-1864.

Texas Hold 'Em Poker Tournament: Dinner 5:30 p.m., poker 6:30 p.m. Dec. 13, EJ Phair Brewery, 300 Cumberland St., Pittsburg. Proceeds benefit art, literacy and educational programs in Pittsburg. $75 buy-in includes dinner and $1,000 in chips. All skill levels are welcome. Prizes will be awarded for first-ninth place. For information, call the Pittsburg Arts and Community Foundation, Inc., 925-252-6930.

Freedom High Cheerleaders Breakfast with Santa: 9-11 a.m. Dec. 15, Freedom High School, multipurpose room, 1050 Neroly Road, Oakley. Proceeds benefit the Freedom High School cheer program. Pancakes, sausage, beverages, free children's crafts, photos with Santa. Adults $10, children 10 and younger $7. Santa photos $5. Purchase tickets at the door.

Breakfast with Santa: 8 a.m.-noon Dec. 15, Masonic Hall, 521 W. Second St., Antioch. Sponsored by Diablo Valley Assembly 84 International Order of the Rainbow for Girls. Proceeds will benefit the organization's programs. Adults $8; children 12 and younger $5. Santa photos $5. Tickets: 925-625-0747 or email creativecropbiz@yahoo.com.

Health

John Muir-Advance Health Care Directives: 10 a.m.-noon Dec. 11, John Muir Health Outpatient Center, large conference room, 2400 Balfour Road, Brentwood. A legal statement that lets your doctor, family, and others know your medical treatment preferences should you become unable to tell them. Appoints an individual as your agent and empowers them to communicate with your doctors and other medical staff so your health care wishes can be carried out. information/registration: 925-941-7900 or johnmuirhealth.com/classes.

Red Cross Blood Drive: 2-7 p.m. Dec. 17, Sponsored by the Delta/Antioch Rotary Club at Lone Tree Golf and Event Center, meeting room, 4800 Golf Course Road, Antioch. To schedule an appointment, call 800-733-2767, or go to redcrossblood.org. Use sponsor code: ANTIOCHROTARY.

Red Cross Blood Drive: 1-7 p.m. Dec. 28, Resurrection Ministries, 1275 Fairview Ave., Brentwood. To schedule an appointment, call 800-733-2767, or go to redcrossblood.org. Use sponsor code: BRENTWOOD.

John Muir-Health Caring Hands Cargivers Program: Is seeking volunteers to help the elderly and persons with disabilities to get to a doctor's appointment, go to the grocery store, get hair cuts and other daily needs. Training is provided. For information, call Linda Groobin, 925-952-2999 or www.johnmuirhealth.com/caringhands.

Sutter Delta-Breast Cancer support group: A breast cancer support group sponsored by the American Cancer Society meets 2-3:30 p.m. second Wednesday, Sutter Delta Medical Center, Edna Fallman Education Center, 3901 Lone Tree Way, Antioch. 925-779-3570. No registration required.

Sutter Delta-Stop Smoking-No more excuses: Sutter Delta Medical Center offers free smoking cessation classes 6-8 p.m. Mondays, 3901 Lone Tree Way, Antioch. For information and registration, call Michelle Keller or email kellerm1@sutterhealth.org.

Miscellaneous

Meals on Wheels: Seeking volunteer drivers for meal delivery routes in Pittsburg and Antioch. Commit two hours once a week between 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Help make a tremendous difference in the lives of our seniors in need. Sharon Fitzgerald, 925-937-8607.

Modified Motorcycle Association meets: 7:30 p.m. third Thursdays ongoing, Red Caboose, 210 Fulton Shipyard Road, Antioch. Learn what the MMA is about, keep informed of current motorcycle laws and legislation, more. Michael Bruno, 925-383-6900, or 916-470-2938.

Forty's Plus Singles meet -- 7 p.m. Wednesdays ongoing. Plan and participate in house parties, day trips, camp outings, cruises and more. Riverview Lodge Restaurant, foot of I Street, Antioch. Dennis, 925-432-0804, or Mary, 925-783-9692.

The News has changed how it collects and accepts calendar information. Readers must now submit all items through our website -- go to www.contracostatimes.com, scroll down the right hand side of the home page to "Things to Do," click on "submit event" and fill out the form. If you need a detailed "How to" tutorial, email bnews@bayareanewsgroup.com and one will be sent to you. Submitting your events in this way will ensure that they are part of our online searchable database.

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