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Vol. 27, No. 32
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Tattoo parlor continues to needle Brentwood officials Planning Commission rejects proposal 3-2 Staff Writer
City of Brentwood officials are thinking carefully about making any permanent changes to their body -– the body of the Downtown Specific Plan as it relates to tattoo parlors, that is. During their Aug. 5 meeting, Planning Commissioners voted 3-2 to recommend the City Council not adopt a change that would allow tattoo parlors to operate downtown. Commissioners Gerald Johnson and Jeremy Jones were the dissenting votes. The Downtown Specific Plan is described on the city’s website as a plan intended “to ensure [downtown] evolves to embody the community’s vision for a vibrant, active, and beautiful city district.” According to Economic Development Manager Erik Nolthenius, there have been discussions as far back as 2017 about amending the plan.
Caffe Paradiso to close
Calculated Punkture Studio, a tattoo parlor operating on Brentwood Boulevard, has expressed interest in moving into a building on Second Street formerly occupied by The Pink Door.
By Jake Menez
Press file photo
“I’ve never had anything against tattoos,” Chairperson Rod Flohr explained ahead of his vote to deny the change. “I would have a tattoo if I wasn’t so indecisive.” Indecisiveness on the subject of tattoos has been a recurring theme at city meet-
ings this year, with the split vote on Aug. 5 reminiscent of a similar split on the subject during the City Council’s meeting in May. In that meeting, the Council voted 3-2 in fasee Tattoo page 18A
Oakley Planning Commission approves tutoring center at Laurel Fields shopping area
see Approves page 18A
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Spent five years in The Streets of Brentwood By Jeff Weisinger Staff Writer
Caffe Paradiso in Brentwood is closing this weekend after five years of calling the Streets of Brentwood home. The cafe was already set to close on Sunday after the landlord of the property not renewing the lease. Caffe Paradiso has been in its small home next to the AMC Theater since it opened in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. The cafe’s owner, Domenico Testa, was attacked by two teens in front of the cafe in late June. Both teens were arrested by Brentwood police and their case has been forwarded to the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Juvenile Unit for review. Brentwood residents have set up a GoFundMe page to support the cafe and its owner, who is still recovering from the attack. According to the page, the GoFundMe is raising money for the inventory loss and food supplies, increased staff hours to lighten Testa’s workload as he was unable to fully work after the attack, and for utility bills for the cafe. It has raised just over $11,000 as of Wednesday morning with 99 donations – more than double of its $5,000 goal. “Over the years, Domenico
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The Mathnasium under construction, as seen from the rear.
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The Oakley Planning Commission adopted two resolutions — one approving a Mathnasium tutoring center and one recommending that the City Council approve an amendment to the
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By Connor Robles
Oakley General Plan -- at their Aug. 5 meeting. The new tutoring center will be located in the northwest corner of the Oakley Shops at Laurel Fields shopping center that is under construction on the corner of O’Hara Avenue and Laurel Road. The General Plan amendment will better allow Oakley to be reimbursed for costs incurred if a major disaster happens.
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Panel also recommends General Plan amendment
August 8, 2025
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Antioch’s football team aims for 10-0
Living 50 Plus special section
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