East Bay Salutes & Shared Feels ❤️

Bright moments of remembrance and outdoor fun

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Twin Oaks Insider
May 24, 2025

Saluting heroes, embracing brighter days 🌅

The long weekend is here—and while Memorial Day gives us a moment to honor our heroes, it’s also the perfect springtime kickoff for outdoor adventures, family fun, and community connections. From colorful carnivals and sunset socials to history-rich park strolls, we’ve rounded up the best ways to mix a little remembrance with a whole lot of sunshine.

⌛History Throwback

The Port Chicago 50

In July 1944, a huge munitions blast at Port Chicago tragically claimed hundreds of lives. Afterwards, 50 brave sailors refused to return to the unsafe worksite—a stand that helped shine a light on racial unfairness and kick-started important Navy reforms.

Legacy Today: Thurgood Marshall Regional Park

The Port Chicago 50’s courageous stand led to a 1946 Navy inquiry and paved the way for President Truman’s 1948 order to desegregate the armed forces. Their legacy now takes shape at the future Thurgood Marshall Regional Park—where history, community, and nature come together.

  • A bright visitor center with engaging exhibits that weave together the park’s rich past and vibrant present.

  • 3,000 acres of open space with new transit routes, access points, and staging areas to link Concord neighborhoods.

  • Recreational opportunities for camping, hiking, biking, and picnicking.

  • Protected habitats and wildlife corridors to support native species.

Although the park itself isn’t open for free exploration yet, you can still join a naturalist-led excursion any time—guided tours run year-round for safe, small-group visits.

Black Birders Week 2025 – Thurgood Marshall

📅 Sunday, May 25
⏰ Gates open 8:45 AM (locked at 9:15 AM); reopen 11:15 AM
📍 Thurgood Marshall Regional Park, South of Bailey Rd. Gate, Concord, CA
🎟️ Free; no registration needed

Calling all bird buffs and history lovers! Explore hidden WWII-era bunkers in search of songbirds, connect with fellow nature enthusiasts, and dive into the park’s powerful story of service and desegregation. Don’t forget your binoculars!

Recommended Reading:
The Port Chicago 50: Disaster, Mutiny, and the Fight for Civil Rights by Steve Sheinkin (Roaring Brook Press, 2014).

Memorial Day Ceremony

📅 Friday, May 24
⏰ 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
📍 Civic Center Plaza, 3231 Main Street, Oakley, CA 94561
🎟️ Free Admission

Stand shoulder-to-shoulder with your neighbors and local veterans for a touching tribute beneath the city’s iconic oak trees. Expect stirring speeches, live patriotic music, and a moment of unity that honors our heroes.

Memorial Day Commemoration 2025 – USS Hornet Museum

📅 Monday, May 26
⏰ 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
📍 USS Hornet Museum, Pier 3, 707 W. Hornet Ave., Alameda, CA 94501
🎟️ Included with museum admission; veterans free

Step aboard a living legend for an unforgettable tribute: watch precision flyovers, feel the pride of the color guard, and pay respects on the deck where naval history was made.

Walnut Creek Memorial Tribute

📅 Monday, May 26
⏰ 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
📍 Civic Park, 1375 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek, CA 94596
🎟️ Free Admission

Bring a lawn chair and soak up stirring tunes from the Walnut Creek Concert Band, hear an inspiring keynote from retired Col. Joe Tringe, and share in a community moment that hits all the right notes.

🎨 Creative Escapes: What’s Happening This Week

Beyond tributes, explore parades, pop-up markets, scenic hikes, and volunteer outings all across the East Bay!

Home | Vacaville Fiesta Days

📅 Thursday, May 22 – Monday, May 26
⏰ Various times (see schedule)
📍 Andrews Park, Downtown Vacaville
🎟️ Free Admission

Get ready for a fiesta extravaganza where Western flair meets Hispanic heritage—think colorful parade floats, jalapeño-eating contests, rodeo thrills, and live music under the sun. Bring your crew and dance shoes for a weekend of nonstop community fun!

Bay Area Kidfest |3 Days Of Family Fun!

📅 Saturday, May 24 – Monday, May 26
⏰ 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Sat & Sun); 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Mon)
📍 Toyota Pavilion, 2000 Kirker Pass Rd, Concord, CA 94521
🎟️ Free Admission

Unleash your inner kid (or spoil the little ones) at this epic carnival! From dizzying rides and hands-on craft stations to live stage performances, KidFest is guaranteed to spark giggles and unforgettable family memories.

SOCA DAY RAVE Memorial Weekend

📅 Monday, May 26
⏰ 2:00 PM – 7:00 PM
📍 ForTheCulture Oak, 701 Clay St, Oakland, CA 94607
🎟️ $17.85

Turn up the heat at this high-voltage street rave! Feel the pulsating Soca rhythms, join in vibrant dance circles, and bring your most festive energy for an instant mini-carnival in the heart of Oakland.

📰 News Roundup

Rebecca Kaplan ends her 17-year tenure on Oakland City Council

Oakland officials and residents lamented the loss of one of their most experienced legislators.

oaklandside.org/2025/05/22/rebecca-kaplan-ends-her-17-year-tenure-on-oakland-city-council

Oakland City Council changes coliseum sale timeline to match Alameda County's process

The sale of the Oakland Coliseum, long characterized by fits and starts, took another incremental step forward this month when the Oakland City Council voted to align its process with that of Alameda County.

www.pleasantonweekly.com/regional-politics/2025/05/15/oakland-city-council-changes-coliseum-sale-timeline-to-match-alameda-countys-process

Rise East Unlocks $100 Million to Reimagine East Oakland | KQED

Rise East successfully raised $50 million to unlock a matching grant to invest in a decade-long, community-led effort to rebuild and revitalize East Oakland through education, housing, public safety, and economic opportunity.

www.kqed.org/news/12021914/rise-east-unlocks-100-million-to-reimagine-east-oakland

🏡 Trying to Save? This Might Be for You

Thrifty Ways To Furnish Your New Home For Less — Twin Oaks Real Estate

Congratulations on buying your first home! After years of saving, you’ve reached this huge milestone. Now that you’ve moved in, it’s time to make it your own. Take advantage of Memorial Day seasonal sales to furnish and decorate your space affordably!

www.twinoaksre.com/blog/2022/4/8/thrifty-ways-to-furnish-your-new-home-for-less?rq=memorial

🏠 Just Listed: East Bay Homes You’ll Love

1000 N Camino Alto, Vallejo, CA 94589

💰 $687,000 | 🛏 4 Beds | 🛁 3 Baths | 📐 2,276 Sq Ft

Sun-drenched open layout with a chef’s dream kitchen and a lush backyard made for epic summer BBQs—move-in magic!

2117 Lemontree Way #4, Antioch, CA 94509

💰 $215,000 | 🛏 2 Beds | 🛁 1 Bath | 📐 925 Sq Ft

Stylish upstairs flat with a brand-new kitchen, vinyl-plank floors, and a resort-style pool just steps away—your perfect starter pad!

222 Broadway #1012, Oakland, CA 94607

💰 $600,000 | 🛏 1 Bed | 🛁 1 Bath | 📐 694 Sq Ft

High-rise living turned up: floor-to-ceiling views, luxe finishes, and rooftop pool vibes for days!

Looking to make a move? Whether you're buying or selling, we've got you covered:

Start your personalized home search with just one click.

Curious about your home’s value? Get a quick estimate right here.

🌅 Weekend Wrap

Here’s to long weekends that balance remembrance with sunshine-filled fun—may your parades be lively, your picnics be carefree, and your community ties grow stronger. See you next week for more East Bay adventures!

Stay local & stay inspired,

Ryan DeAmaral

Co-Writer, Twin Oaks Insider