BY XAVIER JOHNSON It’s been a long time coming for fans of The Mars Volta, a standout progressive rock band risen from the ashes of a post-hardcore juggernaut. After 10 years, they’re back together with a new self-titled record that’s a clean slate for the group. The Mars Volta was …

BY DEBRA J. MORRIS When the seasons change from summer to fall, persimmon trees begin to burst with gorgeous, bright orange fruit. Their autumn colors just shout “fall is here!” Your farmers market booths will begin to fill with this beautiful and delicious fruit this month. Stroll through the market …

BY KAYLA BEIRNE Helping your children avoid the biggest in-season mistakes youth baseball players make puts them on the right path to success now and in the future. Summer has come and gone, so the baseball diamond will be quieter than it has been over the past few months. Hopefully, …

BY XAVIER JOHNSON Indie rock standouts Death Cab For Cutie just dropped their first studio album since the pandemic began, providing a comforting sound in the wake of a trying time. The band has defined the sound of indie rock throughout the 2000’s, rising to prominence with the landmark records …

Ever experienced what you felt was the worst customer service experience of your life when it came to getting your automobile worked on ? If you’ve ever had the misfortune of dealing with Nissan of Burlingame, you’re not remotely alone with your ire, as we’ve reviewed an alarming amount of …

Debbie Marangoni suffered a stroke, and passed away peacefully in Concord on July 18th, eight days after celebrating a delightful 76th birthday with family at her home in Martinez. Debbie was born in Concord on July 10th 1946, the daughter of Patricia (Reardon) and Elvino “Al” Marangoni. She attended school …

BY XAVIER JOHNSON Longtime British reggae standouts UB40 have found themselves in a peculiar spot over the past ten years as a group. Following over 20 years of consistency, lead vocalist and guitarist Ali Campbell departed from the band in 2008. Campbell was followed by keyboardist Mickey Virtue and multi-instrumentalist …

BY KAYLA BEIRNE As you become an adult, you can no longer participate in sports like you once did in school. Here are a few fun sports that you should try as an adult. When you’re a child, you participate in little league sports or various sports at places like …

Center Repertory Company is launching its 2022-23 season with the hit musical play Always…Patsy Cline. This moving tribute spotlights the true story of an unlikely friendship between the legendary country star and one of her biggest fans, Louise Seger. Cline and Seger bond in a Texas honky-tonk and trade letters …

BY XAVIER JOHNSON The producer solo album became a lost art throughout the 2000s, but the unique form of hip-hop has reemerged over the past few years with a young crop of talented producers creating their own artistic vision after helping solidify other artists’ for so long. Prolific producer Kenneth …