Contra Costa

Not every kind of help needs tools or a car. Sometimes a walk, a phone call or a coffee together is exactly what someone is missing, especially people who live alone. Would you like to give some time for a chat in Contr…

Almost every neighbourhood is home to people with many different first languages. In a language exchange two people learn from each other: half an hour in one language, half an hour in the other. Real friendships often …

Where do you actually meet up when you don't want to stay at home all the time? Youth centre, skate park, library or the meadow by the river: every place has its spots. Which hangouts in Contra Costa County, California …

Your first own money disappears fast if you're not careful. A simple trick: write down everything you spend for one month, and you'll see where it goes. Put a small amount aside at the start of each month before buying …

Every place can become a little nicer to live in, and locals often have the best ideas. What would you improve in Contra Costa County, California: more benches, better cycle paths, a meeting place for young and old? Sha…

Not every day is sunny, and with kids you need good ideas when it pours. Where do you go in Contra Costa County, California when it's wet outside: the library, the swimming pool, a board-game café, or puddle jumping aft…

Almost every region has a dish you won't find anywhere else, or a recipe handed down through the generations. What food simply belongs to Contra Costa County, California? Tell us your favourites and where to try them!

The local scenery consists of some rolling peaks, higher mountains, and wooded regions in the west. Mount Diablo sticks out like a sore thumb toward the north; in the south, generally the mountains are parts of ridges, …

=== Pre-human === In prehistoric times, particularly the Miocene epoch, portions of the landforms now in the area (then marshy and grassy savanna) were populated by a wide range of now extinct mammals, known in modern t…

Contra Costa County ( ; Contra Costa, Spanish for 'Opposite Coast') is a county located in the U.S. state of California, in the East Bay of the San Francisco Bay Area. As of the 2020 United States census, the population…

Not everyone finds smartphones, online bookings or long forms easy. Often a patient half hour is all it takes to help someone. Important: never take over passwords or bank details, go through it together step by step in…

A weatherproof box where anyone can leave books, toys or kitchen bits and take something else: sustainability can be that simple. What matters is a good spot, permission from the owner or the council, and a few people w…

Football, table tennis, swimming or a walking group: clubs are often the best way to meet people. Which club are you part of in Saint John, Barbados, and are you looking for new members? Give your club a quick shout-out!

Parents and grandparents know it well: not all playgrounds are equal. Which playground in Saint John, Barbados is your favourite, and why? Share your tips with other families!

Every place has spots only locals know: a bench with a view, a courtyard full of flowers, a little path along the water. Which hidden corner of Saint John, Barbados would you show a newcomer? Let us in on the secret!

Looking for an apprenticeship can feel huge at first. A good start: think about what you enjoy and ask local businesses directly about a work placement. Many companies welcome speculative applications even when nothing …

Guitar, drums, singing or beats on your laptop: music brings people together. Many towns have rehearsal rooms, music schools or open-mic nights where you can try things out. And bands are often looking for exactly the i…

For some older people the trip to the supermarket is hard work, especially when it's icy or very hot. If you're going shopping anyway, it's often easy to pick something up for someone else. A note in the hallway or a qu…

When you go on holiday or fall ill, someone needs to look after the cat, dog or rabbit. Neighbours are ideal: short distances and a familiar face for the animal. It's best to meet beforehand for a quick visit. Are you l…

A sunrise over the rooftops, a front garden in bloom or a funny sign: home is full of great pictures. Show us your best photo of the week from Saint George, Barbados and tell us briefly where you took it!