Who's Who in Local Business

Two Key Players Behind the Scenes at Contra Costa Civic Theatre

Artistic Director Derrick Silva and Managing Director Daren A.C. Carollo share their history with and passion for the Contra Costa County Civic Theatre.

Organization: Contra Costa Civic Theatre Employees: Daren A.C. Carollo, managing director, 34, and Derrick Silva, artistic director, 47 How long have you two been involved with Contra Costa County Civic Theatre? Daren: I came here to direct for the musical Forever Plaid in 2002, and I’ve been here ever since. I’ve served as the director, as a board member, as the associate artistic and finally as the managing director.  And you mentioned that once you start working for the theatre you don’t ever want to leave? Daren: You can’t leave. It’s interesting—the group of people is so welcoming and our audience is so warm. They come up to us after the shows filled with compliments, filled with what we can do better sometimes, like more bathrooms …

• Photos (4)

Revised Edition of Book Sale Draws Crowd — Adds Music, Food, Games

Even greater bargains as sale continues today (without the food, music and kids' activities) and next Saturday.

The Friends of the El Cerrito Library stepped it up a notch Saturday, adding food, music, and children's activities to its already popular annual fall book sale. Jasper Patch of Well Grounded was already on hand sellling refreshments as dozens lined up in the parking lot for the 9 a.m. start of the sale. Shoppers soon descended on the outdoor book displays and packed the portion of the sale that stretches into a narrow section in the basement of the library. Many arrived with cloth bags and left loaded down with dozens of books that together cost less than a single new hardback. New also this year for the first day of the sale was live music, provided by Mike and Jan James, and an area for children, where young visitors picked up colorful …

• Photos (13)

Who's Who

Who's Who: Kathy Cesa, Nurse Turned Massage Therapist

Cesa was always a hands-on person in an environment where touch was not encouraged. After moving to California from the Midwest, she found her calling later in life.

Name: Kathy Cesa Age: 61 Occupation: Retired registered nurse, massage therapist on Stockton Avenue in El Cerrito What led you to switch from nursing to massage therapy? Middle age is a hard time. I’m the kind of people person who liked to work the med search floors – I liked the one-on-one contact. I would always be the one coaxing people on bed after surgery. When I transitioned from there – I’m not exactly the indoor housewife type – I had taken a massage class. I’ve always liked doing massage, and Jenny K opened up this area because she wanted to open up an office. I just happened to hear about it.  She thought she’d use some of these other rooms for massage, because it was a doctor’s office, and I said, “Count me in.” It was …

• Photos (1)

Strains for Stockton Ave. Arts District

Efforts in recent years to establish an arts district on upper Stockton Avenue are facing new challenges. Immediate forecast: cloudy.

The arts cluster of Stockton Avenue faces an uncertain future as Fingado Art Gallery closes, The Glenn Custom Framing struggles with overhead and Stockton Avenue Arts Stroll is put on hold, at least for now. Next door to The Glenn Custom Framing on Stockton Avenue, Pam Fingado has moved out of her gallery space and Kathleen Glenn is rethinking her whole business approach in order to continue be able to pay the rent on her framing shop and gallery space. Said Fingado of the Fingado Art Gallery's recent move, “I won't deny that the sluggish economy played an important part in my decision, because when the public is not comfortable with spending money and they are concerned about housing, food, gas and jobs, purchasing items such as art is …

•  5 Comments
• Photos (7)