In brief: Celebrate 40th anniversary of ‘Return of the Jedi’ in Concord

CONCORD

Contra Costa Con 5 is coming March 12 to the Hilton Concord Hotel, featuring actors and behind-the-scenes creators from the “Star Wars” family celebrating 40 years since the film “Return of the Jedi” was released.

Actors from “Return of the Jedi” and other “Star Wars” films who will be on hand include C. Andrew Nelson (Darth Vader), Margo Apostolos (Ewok Tokkat), Kevin Thompson (Ewok Chubbray) and Alan Fernandes (Tusken Raider).

Adding to their star power is one of the most prominent voice actors of the past 30 years, Mark Dodson. He voiced Salacious Crumb in “Return of the Jedi” and provided various voices for “Ewoks: The Battle for Endor” and “Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens.” Dodson is perhaps best known as the voice of the eponymous creatures in “Gremlins” and “Gremlins 2: The New Batch.”

Contra Costa Con 5 will also feature panels with the actors and Industrial Light & Magic technical stars. Fans can have their photos taken with people dressed as their favorite Star War characters. Toys, art, comics, Legos, anime, vintage and new collectibles, games, jewelry, apparel and much more will be featured at the family-friendly show hosted by Bay Area Festivals and American Brick Builders.

Contra Costa Con 5 will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with free parking at the Hilton, which is is at 1970 Diamond Blvd., two blocks from Interstate 680. For tickets and more information visit ContraCostaCon.com.

— Bay Area Festivals

WALNUT CREEK

Garden club’s next meeting on March 13 at Elks Lodge

The Walnut Creek Garden Club (WCGC) will hold its monthly meeting on March 13 in the Elks Lodge at 1475 Creekside Drive in Walnut Creek. Registration begins at 9:30 a.m., followed by a brief business meeting, social time and an educational program.

Guest Speaker Rose Loveall is the mastermind and owner of Morningsun Herb Farm in Vacaville (morningsunherbfarm.com), a beautiful nature hotbed filled with medicinal and culinary possibilities. Loveall will share her passion about all things growing and green as she leads you down the path with a sensory awareness.

The WCGC welcomes the public to visit their meetings and become a part of the club. For more information, visit walnutcreekgardenclub.org online.

— WCGC

March 18 Gift of Schooling Gala will benefit kids in need

Yours Humanly, a global nonprofit that transforms the lives of children in need around the world by providing access to quality education and equitable resources, is holding its 2023 Gift of Schooling Gala, a fun, formal affair with a Gatsby flair, on March 18 at the Blackhawk Museum in Danville at 3700 Blackhawk Plaza Circle.

Attendees will include Bay Area leaders and advocates in private, public and nonprofit sectors who support educational initiatives for children in need around the world. Festivities will feature a cocktail and hors d’oeuvres reception, dinner, silent and live auctions music and dancing.

The gala’s master of ceremonies will be Miss California Catherine Liang, who will be joined by guest speaker John Sasaki, the Oakland Unified School District’s communications director and a former longtime KTVU-TV Channel 2 news reporter and anchor.

Arik Armstead, a defensive end with the San Francisco 49ers and founder of Armstead Academic Project, is this year’s Yours Humanly Leading With the Heart Honoree. Aila Malik, the Armstead Academic Project’s interim executive director, will represent him at the gala. Tickets are available online at GiftOfSchoolingGala.com.

— Yours Humanly

ANTIOCH

Apply for part-time positions at the Antioch Water Park

The Antioch Water Park is accepting applications for all part-time positions. Openings include Lifeguard, Water Safety Instructor, Cashier, Concessions, Deck Crew and Building Attendant. Apply today and gain valuable job experience while having fun at the water park. Applications and position information are available online at antiochwaterpark.com.

— Antioch city manager’s office

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY

Court accepting applications for civil grand jury service

The Contra Costa County Superior Court is accepting applications for civil grand jury service for the 2023-24 fiscal year. The civil grand jury is made up of 19 members who serve for one year — July through June — to monitor, review and report on city and county governments, special districts and school districts.

Every effort is made to ensure that the Grand Jury reflects the makeup of the residents of the county. About 75 applicants will be selected to be interviewed by the grand jury selection committee, which is composed of superior court judges. After interviews, the judges will nominate about 30 applicants to constitute a grand jury pool from which the final panel of 19 will be selected by random drawing. The drawing is scheduled to be held June 16.

Individuals selected for service will be expected to be available June 20-23 and June 26-29 to attend an orientation at which they will meet with department heads, become familiar with their colleagues, learn about juror responsibilities and procedures and select committees on which they will serve.

Grand jurors must be U.S. citizens ages 18 or older who have lived in Contra Costa County for at least one year before selection and do not currently hold any elected position within the county. Applicants should have reliable transportation to Martinez and must be prepared to devote at least 30 hours a week to civil grand jury service.

Applicants should each have access to a computer, be familiar with Microsoft Word and be able to send and receive email. Citizens who work should apply only if they can be released from their jobs to perform the jury duties. Applicants selected as one of the 30 nominees will be fingerprinted before the random drawing.

Jurors receive a stipend for attending full jury and committee meetings and are reimbursed 62.5 cents per mile for allowable jury travel. Applicants can call the county’s Office of the Civil Grand Jury at 925-608-2621 or visit its website at cc-courts.org/grandjury for an application or more details about civil grand jury service. The application deadline is March 24.

— Contra Costa County Superior Court

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