East County will be jumping all summer with places to go and things to do, all within easy reach of your home and pocketbook. This week the Press is pleased to present a sampling of the cornucopia of possibilities, beginning with Venues (including places where several things will be going on) and followed by Events (mostly one-time activities you’ll want to take in).

Enjoy!

VENUES Paradise Skate, Golf ‘N’ Games Family Fun Center and Antioch Paintball Park

In addition to skating, Paradise Skate is home to the Undead Bettys Roller Derby team, which opens 2010 against Battlestar Girlactica on June 19. The Paintball Park is around the corner, open on weekends and by reservation. For $49 you get all need for three hours of chromatic combat. And nearby is Golf ‘N’ Games, with two miniature golf courses, go-karts, batting cages, an arcade and more.

Brentwood Family Aquatic Complex

Family Fun goes off the deep end in 2010 as the Brentwood Family Aquatic Complex re-opens and kicks off Friday Family Fun Nights. Each night is themed, and prizes will be awarded to those who dress accordingly: June 11 is Surfin’ USA; June 25 is All American Night; and July 17 is the Dog Days of Summer Rock ‘N’ Roll. The fee is $6.20 per person, $19.70 for a family of up to five. Special family-meal deals are available separately through Ribeye’s Market, the onsite concessioner. The Aquatic Complex is located at the corner of Griffith Lane and Balfour Road. For more information on all the activities there this summer, visit www.ci.brentwood.ca.us.

Antioch Speedway

If you’re a fan of car racing, the place to be this summer is the Antioch Speedway at the Antioch fairgrounds on 10th Street. Every Saturday you can watch – and hear – dirt modifieds, super stocks, dwarf cars, and wingless sprints roar and spray dirt as they race around the oval track. Races resume on June 12. In past years, NASCAR drivers Dave Blaney, Kenny Wallace and Kenny Schrader have visited the track when the pros come to California to race in Sonoma. Mark your calendar for June 19 to see who shows up. For more information, call 925-779-9220 or visit www.antiochspeedway.com.

East Contra Costa Historical Society Museum

The Society’s Byer-Nail Museum hosts a series of special outdoor Movie Nights on the first Saturday of each month this summer, beginning with “Night at the Museum” on June 5. The classic “The Music Man” will be screened on July 3, featuring special 1890s-style refreshments including watermelon, lemonade, homemade ice cream and popcorn. The August and September showtimes will be announced. The museum and the grounds will be open from about 8 p.m. until it gets dark enough for the movie. The big event of the year is the East Contra Costa Historical Society Annual Community Barbecue, held the first Sunday after Labor Day, Sept. 12 from 2 to 6 p.m. For more information, call Ginny Karlberg at 408-910-6784.

Delta Dinner Cruise

Cool off this summer by enjoying the Delta breezes while taking a trip with Delta Discovery Cruises, which provides sunset dinner cruises, lunch cruises, mystery dinner theater cruises, jazz brunch cruises, senior cruises, wedding cruises and visits to the mothball fleet. The 100-passenger, 65-foot Island Serenade features an indoor salon plus an upper deck offering expansive views of the water and shoreline. Sign up today for the special Father’s Day and Fourth of July lunch cruises. For more information, call 925-252-9300, or visit www.deltadiscoverycruises.com.

El Campanil Theatre

If you’re looking to catch a live show, but don’t want to deal with big-city prices and traffic, head over to the El Campanil Theatre, 602 West Second St. in Antioch, where you’ll find a variety of entertainment all summer long. In June, the theater hosts James Clark’s “A Tribute to Elvis.” In July, the Vagabond Players present “Lend Me a Tenor” and the Mariachi Divas deliver a multicultural dance show. Motown ’60s Revue and House of Floyd visit El Campanil in August, so reserve your tickets now. As always, the Last Sunday of the Month film series continues this summer with screenings of “The Godfather,” “Phantom of the Opera” and “2001: A Space Odyssey.” For tickets and more information, visit www.elcampaniltheatre.com or call 925-757-1366.

U-Pick farms

Nothing says East County agriculture like the area’s U-Pick farms. Boasting the freshest and most abundant varieties of fruits and vegetables around, enthusiasts throughout the Bay Area visit the local farms from Memorial Day to the end summer. Pluck them right off the tree or bush, or choose a basketful from one of the numerous farm stands throughout the area. To learn more, visit www.harvest4you.com.

Delta Valley Athletic Club

Keep your kids busy and yourself sane this summer and enroll your little ones in the Kids Summer Camp at Delta Valley Athletic Club. Starting June 7 and running through the end of July, these weeklong camps offer the curious kid a taste of everything from rainforest and reptiles to Broadway dancing and mixed martial arts. Swim lessons are also on the agenda with eight-class sessions from June through July. Delta Valley Athletic Club is located at 20 Guthrie Lane in Brentwood. Call 925-240-2990 for additional information.

Hannah Nicole Vineyards

Enjoy live music or a movie under the open skies at Hannah Nicole Vineyards, located at 6700 Balfour Road in Brentwood. Films such as “The Blind Side” and “27 Dresses” as well as wine-themed films such as “A Walk Through the Clouds” and “Bottle Shock” will be screened throughout the summer, and Brentwood rock ‘n’ roll band The Citations is scheduled to perform on June 11 at 6 p.m. Hannah Nicole Vineyards also offers wine tasting six days a week. Current bottles include the 2004 Syrah dessert wine, the 2006 Merlot and the California State Fair Commercial Wine Competition award winning 2007 Late Harvest Viognier. The tasting room is open Tuesdays through Fridays from noon to 6 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, visit www.hnvwines.com or call 925-240-9463.

In-Shape Health Clubs

Summer is the perfect time to learn to swim, and In-Shape Health Clubs in Brentwood and Antioch offer classes for kids of all ages. Classes led by the Sea Swim School teach swimming fundamentals and proper technique and encourage children to be strong, confident and happy swimmers. Once the kids are confident in the pool, sign them up for In-Shape Summer Camp, a weeklong extravaganza that keeps kids active and healthy during their summer vacation. These camps include games, dancing, arts and crafts, rock climbing, aerobic training, soccer, basketball, racquetball, swimming and other water activities. Twelve camp sessions are offered this summer, running from June 4 to Aug. 26. For more information, visit www.inshapeclubs.com or call Antioch In-Shape, 4099 Lone Tree Way, at 925-331-3065, or Brentwood In-Shape, 180 Griffith Lane, at 925-513-8700.

Los Vaqueros Watershed

Just south of Brentwood, Los Vaqueros offers fishing, a full-service marina, miles of trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding, and facilities for picnics. The Watershed also offers educational showcases to inform the public about the many critters found among the trails. A Summer Pond Exploration is offered on June 13 and a Birds of Prey workshop on June 19, 20 and 27. Nighttime Discovery Hikes begin June 26. For more information, call 925-240-2440 or visit www.ccwater.com/losvaqueros.

REI of Brentwood

REI’s Family Adventure Program offers an array of fun things to do over the summer. The Family Adventure Journal is loaded with ideas for hikes, bike rides and outdoor learning games. Visit www.rei.com/family-adventure for details. And catch REI’s series of talks and demonstrations by experts on everything from hiking and kayaking to bicycle maintenance and camp cooking. Looking to venture far from East County? REI hosts regular talks on adventures all over the planet. And as part of its ongoing community service, REI helps celebrate National Trails Day on June 5 with a contingent of trail repair and maintenance volunteers at Black Diamond Mines in Antioch.

The Streets of Brentwood

If you’re looking for close-to-home fun this summer, head out to The Streets of Brentwood. Beginning in June, The Streets host a variety of events including the Brentwood Art Society’s series of three musical theater productions called “Broadway Under the Stars,” directed by local impresario Steve Kinsella. Also scheduled are a series of free concerts featuring county music, classic rock and blues. The family-friendly concerts kick off on June 18 with The Dave Russell Band. In August, The Streets welcome the popular two-day Brentwood Art, Wine & Jazz Festival. And while you’re there enjoying the events, don’t forget to drop into one of The Streets more than 50 stores and restaurants, or take in a movie at the state-of-the-art 14-screen Rave multiplex. The Streets of Brentwood is located at 2565 Sand Creek Road. For additional information, call 925-516-8500 or visit www.shopstreetsofbrentwood.com.

Peterson Studios

Summer art classes at Peterson Studios in Oakley kick off June 14. Classes are open to adults and teens under the instruction of local artist Nancy Roberts. The Joy of Color takes a fresh look at seeing, mixing and designing with color. The class meets Mondays, June 14 to July 26, from 7 to 8 p.m. In Portrait and Figure Study (Saturdays, June 19 to July 17) artists work on anatomy, gesture, emotional content and capturing a likeness. In addition, Perspective Without Pain is a one-day workshop held Saturday, July 24, focusing on drawing buildings, using viewpoint, light and shadow, color and human figures to add life. For details, call 925-625-0514.

EVENTS Movie in the Plaza

Catch a movie under the stars at Oakley’s Civic Center Plaza beginning this Saturday, May 29 as the blockbuster “Twilight: New Moon” sweeps you into the world of vampires. For an equally spooky affair, check out Alfred Hitchcock’s classic “The Birds” on June 5, or enjoy family fun with “Ice Age 3: Dawn of the Dinosaurs” on July 24 and Disney’s “Up” on Aug. 21. Events are free. Civic Center Plaza is located at 3231 Main St. in Oakley. For more information, call 925-625-7041.

Downtown Thursdays

No plans this Thursday? No problem. Downtown Brentwood hosts its weekly festival series now through Aug. 26 from 5 to 8 p.m. Downtown Thursdays includes monthly car shows, food and wine festivals and special events such as the Kids’ Art Show on Aug. 12 and the Home and Garden Show on Aug. 19. Each event features a vendor showcase and bounce houses to entertain the kids. For more information about upcoming events, visit www.brentwooddowntown.com.

Farmers’ Market

East County folk are fortunate to be surrounded by an array of local farms that produce some of the most flavorful and nutritious fruits and vegetables you’ll ever taste. While you could visit every farm located on the Harvest Time map, the local farmers’ markets in Brentwood and Antioch are one-stop shops for the best produce around. Both markets also feature products ranging from breads and jams to flowers and confections from more than 25 local growers. For dates, times, locations and a list of participating farms, visit www.pcfma.com.

Contra Costa County Fair

Mark your calendars for the weekend of June 3 because the Contra Costa County Fair is coming to Antioch. The fair provides plenty of fun for the whole family, from pig races to a “Wild About Monkeys” show to pie-eating contests. This year’s fair will feature a special live performance by ’80s pop sensation MC Hammer on June 4 at 7 p.m. Tickets must be ordered in advance. For more information, visit www.contracostafair.com.

Summer Reading Festival

Get into the act on June 5 from 2 to 4 p.m. and join the East Contra Costa County Libraries for some fun in the sun at the Williamson Ranch Park in Antioch. The event features the Alhambra Valley Bluegrass Band at 2 p.m., a visit from wacky clown/juggler Daffy Dave at 3 p.m., and ongoing crafts, a jump house and refreshments. Summer readers can also pick up their summer reading record at the event. For more information, call 925-625-2400 or visit www.ccclib.org.

Little Gym 2010 Summer Camps

From June 7 to July 22, the Little Gym in Brentwood offers three-hour summer camps that include free play, organized games, arts and crafts, snacks and drinks. Each week features a different theme, such as safari, dinosaurs, pirates and animals. Camps are held Mondays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to noon; Tuesdays and Wednesdays from noon to 3 p.m. The cost is $25 per day for members; $35 per day for non-members. For more information, visit www.thelittlegym.com/brentwoodca.

Freedom High Tennis camp

Freedom High offers week-long tennis camps this summer lead by USPTA certified tennis instructor and California State High School Tennis Coach of the Year Steve Amaro. The camp takes place June 14 to 17, June 21 to 24 and June 28 to July 1. The hours are 8:30 to 10 a.m. for first through eighth grades; 10:15 to 11:45 a.m. for ninth through 12th grades. The cost is $40 per week per participant along with four unopened containers of tennis balls. More information call 625-5900, ext. 3044 or e-mail amaros@libertyuhsd.k12.ca.us.

Brentwood Idol

Last year, 10-year-old Kriesha Tiu stole the show at the inaugural Brentwood Idol with her powerful rendition of Celine Dion’s “I Surrender.” This year, the contest will be broken into two events: a qualifying round on June 10 followed by the finals competition on June 24. The winner will take home the Brentwood Idol title as well as $100 in prize money. Applications to participate in Brentwood Idol are currently available for download at www.brentwooddowntown.com.

Salvation Army summer camp

Parties, movies, science games, cooking, weekly outings and more are on the menu this summer for kids 4 to 7. The Salvation Army camp runs from June 21 through Aug. 13 and costs $65 per week per child plus a one-time registration fee of $20. Fees include breakfast, lunch and healthy snacks. To learn more, call 925-778-0808.

World Cup East Bay 2010

WCEB2010 provides the fun and excitement of the FIFA World Cup 2010 at the Antioch Indoor Sports Center. Games start June 11 at 7 a.m. with Mexico vs. South Africa and conclude July 11 with a new World Cup champion. You can watch all 64 World Cup games live or tape-delayed, play in youth and adult World Cup tournaments and get trained in soccer fundamentals as well as speed and agility. For more information, visit www.worldcupeastbay2010.com.

Senior Luau

Brentwood Senior Citizens Club, Inc. hosts its Hawaiian Luau Dinner Dance, featuring entertainment by the Delta Strummers Ukulele Group plus dinner and dancing. The event takes place Friday, June 25 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Brentwood Senior Activity Center, 193 Griffith Lane in Brentwood. Tickets are $20 and may be purchased at the Senior Center. For more information, call the Senior Volunteer Ambassador at 925-516-5380 or the Parks and Recreation Department at 925-516-5444.

Oakley Cityhood Celebration

Oakley celebrates its 11th year of cityhood with a birthday bash at the Freedom High School basin, located at 1050 Neroly Road, on July 3 at 6 p.m. The party will feature delicious food, music, bounce houses, games and pony rides. As it is Fourth of July weekend, the cityhood celebration will end with a bang – a dazzling fireworks display for everyone to enjoy. For more information, call 925-625-7044.

CornFest

Brentwood’s official nod to summertime fun is July’s popular CornFest. Featuring an array of the area’s best food, quality entertainment and activities, thousands come out to enjoy East County’s annual bash, highlighted by a spectacular fireworks display. Little ones will enjoy the petting zoo and pony rides as well. This year’s CornFest is held July 9, 10 and 11. For more information, visit www.brentwoodchamber.com.

Art Wine & Jazz Festival

The Brentwood Art, Wine & Jazz Festival showcases the finest local artists and wineries, swinging jazz and the tastes of local restaurants, caterers and nonprofit organizations – all benefiting art and cultural art programs in the Brentwood community. This year’s event is held at The Streets of Brentwood on Saturday, Aug. 28 from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sunday, Aug. 29 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, visit www.brentwoodartsociety.net.

Bethel Island ’50s Bash

Take a stroll down memory lane at the 23rd annual Bethel Island ’50s Bash on Aug. 14 and 15. While like many other summer events, the festival features live music, great food and a car show, the ’50s Bash is host to unique showcases such as the decorated golf cart parade, catfish races, a dog show and rubber ducky races. And the best part – admission is free. For more information, call 925-684-3220.

Almond Festival

Years ago, James O’Hara planted acres of almond trees in what is now known as O’Hara Park. In honor of his contribution to Oakley’s heritage, the community will gather at the park Sept. 10 thorough 12 for the Oakley Almond Festival. The three-day event, sponsored by the Oakley Chamber of Commerce, features a carnival, car show, parade, cook-off and much more. Join mascot Ben Toasted this year as the festival celebrates its 21st year of family fun. For more information, call 925-625-1035.

Delta Blues Fest

If the end of summer has got you down, don’t worry. Pack up your folding chairs and blankets and head out to Waldie Plaza in Antioch for the Delta Blues Festival. The annual concert, scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 18, features some of the best blues musicians in the business. Plus, this alcohol-free event is perfect fun for the entire family. So get up, dance and shake those blues away! For more information, visit www.deltabluesfestival.net.