Contra Costa News

A podcast talking everything Contra Costa County and the greater San Francisco Bay Area. From local happenings, to the people, to supporting local business and upcoming events.

Contra Costa News is a news podcast hosted by ContraCostaNews, with 88 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

ContraCostaNews hosts Contra Costa News, a news show with 88 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  Episode #88

  #78: Shannon Shaw, Oakley City Council

  Aug 25, 202639 min

  On this episode of Be Curious Contra Costa, I sit down with Oakley City Councilmember Shannon Shaw, who was recently appointed to another term after running unopposed—for the second time. We talk about what she learned during her first term, why she got involved in city politics in the first place, and even get into some of her favorite things outside City Hall. But we also tackle the tougher stuff: the infamous “Doomsday McDonald’s” vote, the debate over data centers, growth in Oakley, and some of the goals she still wants to accomplish on the council. We also dive into social media—the good, the bad, and the impact it can have on mental health and public officials. And for anyone thinking about running for office, Shaw shares some advice for candidates about campaigning, serving the public, and what they should know before putting their name on the ballot. I t’s a wide-ranging conversation about local government, leadership, community—and what it’s actually like being the person who has to cast the vote. Be Curious. Ask questions. Learn something.

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  Episode #87

  77: Concord and Pleasant Hill Night Markets With Sunny

  Aug 12, 202637 min

  On this episode of Be Curious Contra Costa, a sit down with Sunny Pannu, operator of the Concord Night Market and Pleasant Hill Night Market, to talk food, culture, community—and how a simple idea turned into two successful local events. The Night Market concept began in Pleasant Hill after City Councilmember Belle La pushed an idea to bring more culture, food and community activity to the city while making better use of Chilpancingo Park. The response was strong, and that success eventually helped lead to an expansion into Concord with the launch of the Concord Night Market. Sunny shares what it took to get the markets off the ground, what he's learned along the way, and where he hopes to take them next. We also get into Sunny's own journey in the food industry, including operating his food truck, Curry & Gumbo, and how that experience gives him a different perspective when working with vendors. Sunny explains how vendors are selected, what he looks for when building the right mix of food and businesses, some of the challenges that come with operating a Night Market, and why creating opportunities for small businesses is one of his favorite parts of the job. Plus, we talk about future plans, potential expansion and what's next for the Night Markets. It's a conversation about food, entrepreneurship, culture and building community—one Night Market at a time.

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  Episode #86

  76: Erin Green-Astone Talks Tea

  Jul 22, 202640 min

  On this episode, we sit down with Erin Green-Astone, owner of The Hen and Drake Modern Tea Room in downtown Antioch, for a conversation that goes far beyond a cup of tea. We dive into the world of tea—what makes the experience so unique, the different varieties available, and what guests can expect when they book one of The Hen and Drake's signature tea sessions. Erin explains why the experience lasts two to three hours, why slowing down matters in today's fast-paced world, and how tea is designed to be more than a drink—it's an opportunity to disconnect, relax, and reconnect with family and friends. We also talk about the entrepreneurial journey that brought her here. From hosting backyard tea parties to launching a food truck and eventually opening a brick-and-mortar business, Erin shares the challenges, lessons, and milestones that helped shape The Hen and Drake. Finally, we discuss why she chose downtown Antioch as the place to plant roots, her vision for the community, and what she hopes guests take away every time they walk through her doors. Whether you're a lifelong tea enthusiast, a curious first-timer, or someone who enjoys hearing the stories behind local businesses, this is a conversation filled with passion, perseverance, and plenty of tea.

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  Episode #85

  75: Talking Coffee With Berks Beans

  Jun 25, 202649 min

  On this episode, Greg Berkowtiz of Berk’s Beans Coffee drops in to share his new promotion for first responders, a tub of coffee! While we get into his love of coffee, how he got started roasting and helping others, we talk about his First Responders Coffee Bucket, also refillable, which is perfect for police departments, firehouses, EMS teams, dispatch centers and break rooms while being an affordable option for coffee. Berk’s Beans First Responders Coffee Bucket: Refillable bucket Airtight Airscape® lid Over 12 lbs of freshly roasted coffee Blends + single origin options Light, medium, medium-dark & dark roasts Start with your bucket for $150. Refill it anytime for $120. Berk’s Beans got started during the pandemic out of his garage before moving to his Concord location. He also now helps other coffee shops by providing not only beans, but helping them grow. Try Berks Beans for Yourself Whether you’re a coffee enthusiast, café owner, or simply looking for a better brew, Berks Beans offers everything from single bags to subscriptions, roasted-to-order and shipped within 24 hours. Visit the Roastery 1717 Solano Way, Suite 12 Concord, CA 94520 Order Online or Book a Tasting: https://berksbeans.com/shop

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  Episode #84

  74: Peter Karumbi, Candidate for Auditor-Controller

  May 30, 202646 min

  On this episode of Be Curious Contra Costa, a chat with Peter Karumbi. He is a candidate running for Contra Costa County Auditor-Controller. He has spent the last 14 years in the auditor-controllers office and most recently as the assistant auditor-controller. Karumbi is originally from Kenya and came to the United States in 2007 where he worked at Home Depot and then Ross, before being hired by Contra Costa County as an entry-level accountant who worked his way up through the office. He became an accountant in 2011, a CPA, and has an MBA in finance. In this episode we talk a little bit about the office and what it does, what he wants to improve on but more importantly, wants the information to be confirmed, factual and accurate. He wants to improve public outreach, make things more transparent and improve technology within the office. For more on Karumbi, visit him at: https://karumbiforauditor.com/

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