Contra Costa Marketplace - Feb 2026 by hudsonprinting

Hello Neighbors

February is a month made for savoring. From the warmth of a shared meal to the simple pleasure of a favorite dessert, food and drink have a way of bringing love to the table—especially this time of year. As Valentine’s Day approaches, we’re reminded that some of the most meaningful connections are made over good food, a thoughtful toast, and moments enjoyed together.

This Food & Drink issue celebrates exactly that spirit. Whether you’re planning an intimate dinner, a festive night out, or simply treating yourself, February is the perfect excuse to indulge. Love, after all, doesn’t have to be extravagant—it can be as simple as a beautifully prepared dish, a favorite cocktail, or a table filled with people who matter most.

We’re proud to introduce our newest advertisers. Artisan Kitchen and Café, led by award-winning chef Liane Ingham, offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner, along with

catering services and a commercial kitchen available for rent. Be sure to see their ad on the right. We’re also pleased to welcome Home Offer Real Estate. With more than 20 years of licensed experience, they are probate-certified and specialize in presenting the highest cash offers on homes in any condition. You’ll find their ad on page 32.

Here’s to a bright February full of flavor, connection, and plenty of reasons to raise a glass.

Susie | Jacqueline

$166 | Non-Res: $190 Youth Acrylic Painting Ages 7-10 February 12

$35 | Non-Res: $39 Ages 11-14 February 10 Winter Soccer Classes Ages 3.5-6 February 2 - 26

Pinole Pollinator Pathway

Saturday, February 7 10am-11:30am Fernandez Park

$92 | Non-Res: $106

MARCH

1, 2026 HERCULESHERCULES LUNAR NEW YEAR PARADE & FESTIVAL

MUSIC

MARCHING BANDS

DANCERS

LUCKY ENVELOPES FOR KIDS

FASCINATING FACTS

By Karen F. Walker

I was noodling around the other day and discovered that Chocolate was once used as a currency... WHAT?! How would that work? I mean, honestly, aside from the likely melting factor, how long could you keep chocolate in your pocket and not, uh, eat it?! Turns out that not only is it a true story, there’s actually a bunch of curious and interesting things about food throughout history... So, I researched further and thought I’d share a few of the most fascinating and obscure food facts. See how many facts you already knew (or not)!

discovery (right up there with the chocolate currency). Arachibutyrophobia is the fear of peanut butter sticking to the roof of your mouth. It’s a serious panic experience for some…and definitely annoying as heck for most of the rest of us. In fact, it’s so annoying that I kinda feel it deserves this big phobia name! Good to know.

SPAM. Where do you think Spam was invented? Hawaii? Nope. Even though Hawaii supposedly consumes the most Spam per capita of any state, the product was invented in… Minnesota. Yup. You can even find a spam museum in The North Star State!

FRUIT LOOPS. Remember that multi-flavor, multi-colored sweet, fun cereal? Well, my 7-year-old self is crushed to learn that as colorful as those little loops are, they are literally all the same flavor. Devastated.

RADISHES, ONIONS AND GARLIC. In ancient Egypt, these food items were given to workers as wages… and they were valued. Radishes, for example, helped with infectious diseases.

FRENCH FRIES. Where do you think these common fast-food items originated. If you guessed France, nope. Belgium! Supposedly they are dubbed “French” fries because they are French-cut.

PINEAPPLES. Early explorers thought this fruit looked like pine cones the first time they saw them. Hence their naming this food pineapple.

MAC ’N CHEESE AT THE WHITE HOUSE PLEASE. One of our nation’s founding fathers and our 3rd U.S. President, Thomas Jefferson, brought the first macaroni machine across “The Pond” after spending time in France. Not only

is he credited with introducing Americans to mac and cheese, he also had it served at a few formal White House dinners. At first that sounded quite amusing to me. But, as a side note, having tasted a macaroni and cheese dish made by following an original recipe used by Jefferson’s wife, I can personally testify that it was AMAZING, rich, and did not remotely resemble anything akin to whatever it is that Kraft sells. It definitely defied every modern-day doctor’s health recommendation too, I suspect…and it was delicious.

BAD EGGS FLOAT. You can test how fresh your egg is by putting it in a glass of cold water. The fresher the egg, the faster it sinks to the bottom. But if it floats, throw it out.

RIPE CRANBERRIES BOUNCE. WEIRD! Drop cranberries on the floor to test their ripeness. If ripe, they bounce. Who knew?

ICK. Did you know that by FDA standards, there is a certain allowance for traces of bugs in food. According to one resource, chocolate, for example, is allowed “no more than 60 insect fragments per 100 grams. Peanut butter cannot have more than 30 insects per 100 grams.”

CHIMICHANGA. Guess what… This dish originated not in Mexico but in Tucson, Arizona. The name means “thingamajig.”

BANANA. Sixty percent of our human genes are identical to a banana. That said, thank God for the other 40% that make us individually who we are (and NOT a banana).

CHILI PEPPERS. Which country do you think produces, consumes and exports the most chili peppers in the world? If you guessed India, you win. Although not introduced to India until the 1400s, they quickly integrated into the food culture.

GERMAN CHOCOLATE CAKE. OH THIS IS A TOUGH ONE! This cake, surprisingly to me, has nothing to do with Germany. Instead, it was invented by a Texan who used “German’s Chocolate;” a specific baking chocolate named after its creator, Sam German.

G & T. Thanks to the quinine in tonic water, supposedly tonic water glows in the dark… as in a Gin & Tonic?!

PECANS. Turns out the popular Southern-grown pecan, although not exclusive to the South, is proudly claimed by both Alabama and Georgia as their State Nut.

ICE CREAM. According to the International Dairy Foods Association, ice cream roughly dates back to the 2nd century B.C.… More than a few rulers, including Alexander the Great and Nero Claudius Caesar, are said to have enjoyed snow flavored with honey or fruit juices. Historians claim that Marco Polo’s Middle East discovery of a “sherbet-type recipe” evolved into what we know as ice cream in the 16th century.

TOP-SELLING CEREAL IN THE U.S.? Honey Nut Cheerios, which topped out sales of all store brands combined. WOW! Cinnamon Toast Crunch holds second place, and Frosted Flakes is in third place nationwide. Go Tony the Tiger!

MCDONALD’S CHICKEN NUGGETS. Who knew? These were originally created in the 1980s with input from chef Rene Arend, who cooked for Queen Elizabeth II and the king of Belgium.

CHOCOLATE. Yup. Once currency. Apparently the Mayan and Aztec people highly valued the cacao bean. The Maya grew cacao as early as 250 AD and used it to make Xocolatl, a frothy, spiced beverage. When the Aztecs came to power, the bean was even more highly valued and used for trade and tribute. In fact, in the Aztec Empire, cacao beans were so valued that they were taxed, paid as wages and used to buy goods. Historical accounts report that several hundred cacao beans could buy a turkey, with smaller goods worth a handful. Science.org points out that “the Aztecs were unable to cultivate cacao in their central highlands” and had to import it from more tropical areas, thus increasing its perceived value.

LOCAL CRAB FEEDS. OK, this one isn’t new and curious, but a reminder to gather friends and family to savor the delectable delicacies of our current culinary crab feed advertisers on page 7.

Research resources include Science, Jonna Gallo Weppler, Michelle Gabriel and more.

Love Is Sweet (and So Is Dessert)

By Susie Kessinger

Valentine’s Day is proof that love and food go hand in hand. It’s the one holiday where chocolate for breakfast feels completely acceptable and dessert is basically mandatory.

The day gets its name from St. Valentine, though historians aren’t exactly sure which one. What they do know is that by the Middle Ages, romance was already in the air. Handwritten love notes were the original Valentine’s cards, and the oldest one we know of dates all the way back to 1415—talk about old-school romance.

Then came the really good stuff. The Aztecs believed cacao had love-boosting powers, and by the 1800s, heart-shaped chocolate boxes sealed the deal. Add flowers, a cozy dinner, maybe a glass of wine or bubbly, and Valentine’s Day became the delicious celebration we know today.

Fun Valentine’s Day Facts:

• Valentine’s Day is the second-largest card-giving holiday, after Christmas.

• Red roses symbolize love and passion, while pink represents admiration.

• More than 58 million pounds of chocolate are purchased each year.

• In Japan, women give chocolates to men on February 14; men return the favor on White Day.

• Galentine’s Day (February 13) celebrates friendship.

February 2026 EVENTS

HERCULES LIBRARY

109 CIVIC DRIVE, HERCULES

510.245.2420

FEBRUARY 7:

ART OF THE AFRICAN DIASPORA

ARTISTS RECEPTION

Saturday, 3pm. Join us for the Art of the African Diaspora Artists Reception, celebrating a stunning Hercules Library exhibition of talented artists from the Bay Area. Don’t miss your opportunity to engage with the creators behind these beautiful pieces!

FEBRUARY 10:

LUNAR NEW YEAR CELEBRATION: LION DANCE & MARTIAL ARTS

Tuesday, 6:30pm-7:30pm. Come celebrate Lunar New Year and the Year of the Fire Horse! Yee’s Martial Arts will return again for their annual visit sharing a Lion Dance & Martial Arts demonstration with the community.

FEBRUARY 11:

MAX MEDITATION

Wednesday, 6-7pm. Thoughts racing? Feeling a little overwhelmed? Need a mid-week reprieve? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, then the Max Meditation program is right for you! With the guidance of a professional healer, clear your mind and gain serenity.

FEBRUARY 18:

WEST CONTRA COSTA CAREER FAIR

Wednesday, 10am-1pm. Meet 40+ Employers & Resource Organizations The Bay Front Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the Workforce Development Board of Contra Costa County is bringing together top employers from various industries. Network with like-minded individuals and discover exciting job prospects. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting out, this event is perfect for anyone looking to explore new job opportunities or advance their career. Pre-register on Eventbrite.com by 2/17 to be entered into a gift card raffle. Walk ins welcome! 2001 Refugio Valley Rd, Hercules.

FEBRUARY 19: SUNRISE NETWORKING

Thursday, 8:30am-10:30am. Join us for morning networking! Have your two-minute elevator speech ready as everyone has the opportunity to introduce themselves to the group. Don’t forget to bring business cards. Join Steven Khuong, a seasoned tech industry leader featured in Forbes, CNN, & New York Times. Steven will share how Al can transform your business and drive growth. FREE Event, register at Eventbrite.com. Hercules Library.

FEBUARY 20:

MOVIE SCREENING: JUST MERCY Friday, 12:30pm-3:30pm. Teens - join us for a screening of Just Mercy in the Homeschool Room. Based on the bestselling book, Just Mercy presents the unforgettable story of Bryan Stevenson (Michael B. Jordan) and the case of Walter McMillian (Academy Award winner Jamie Foxx), who was convicted and sentenced to death for a crime he did not commit. After the film, homeschool parent Caitlyn Obolsky will lead the group in a meaningful discussion about issues brought up in the film that we still face as a nation today. With resources from The Equal Justice Initiative, we’ll talk more about the criminal justice system, racial discrimination, and the real people behind the film. Please note that the movie is PG-13 and is intended for a more mature audience. Attendees must be 13 years or older. Hercules Library.

FEBUARY 24: BLACK CHILDREN’S BOOK WEEK STORYTIME

Tuesday, 4:00pm. Phelicia Lang, local educator and author of the Tay and Friends book series, joins us for a Black Children’s Book Week storytime at the Hercules Library! Phelicia will read stories about playful Tay and his science-empowered friend, Aleeyah, and kids can enjoy a Tay-related craft, too. Perfect for preschool aged children.

FARMERS MARKETS Local

EL CERRITO PLAZA

Tuesdays and Saturdays - 9am - 1pm 3060 El Cerrito Plaza, Parking Lot (South West Corner)

RICHMOND

Fridays 7am - 5pm 325 Civic Center Plaza In front of the main Richmond Public Library

MARINA BAY

Sunday 10am - 2pm Marina Bay Park Regatta Blvd & Melville Square

PINOLE

Saturdays 9am - 1pm 798 Fernandez Avenue Pinole

MARTINEZ

Sunday 10am - 1pm 700 Main Street, Martinez

KENSINGTON

Sunday 9am - 2pm 1560 Oak View Avenue Colusa Avenue & Santa Fe Avenue

RICHMOND CIVIC CENTER

May through November Wednesdays 10am - 2pm Park Place & Richmond Avenue

POINT RICHMOND

May through September Wednesdays 4pm - 8pm Nevin Avenue and 13th Street

SAN PABLO

June to September

Saturday 10am - 2pm 13831 San Pablo Avenue

EL SOBRANTE

10am - 2pm Sundays 5166 Sobrante Avenue, El Sobrante