Archive for September, 2011

Amy Hanai`ali`i Performs at El Campanil

Friday, September 23rd, 2011

Five-time GRAMMY® award nominee and Hawaii’’s top selling female vocalist shares her love for her home, her Hawaiian heritage, and her passion for music, inspired by her Tutu Jennie. Singing Jazz, traditional Hawaiian and contemporary, Hanai`ali`i is joined by her hula dancer and A-list Hawaiian Jazz musicians; Steve Jones (Bass), Jeff Peterson (guitar), Chino Montero (guitar), and Darryl Pellegrini (drums).

Hanai`ali`i will be performing on Saturday, October 1, 2011 at 1pm in Downtown Antioch at the El Campanil Theatre. Tickets are available by calling (925) 757-9500 or by visiting www.elcampaniltheatre.com.

Hânaiali‘i is a classically trained vocalist which allows her to embrace many genres of music. Hanai`ali`i’s success as a recording artist speaks for itself and is evidenced by the multitude of awards and acknowledgements including five GRAMMY® nominations for Best Hawaiian Music Album.

Hanai`ali`i’s albums have also garnered 16 Nâ Hôkû Hanohano Awards (Hawai‘i’s equivalent to the GRAMMY®), including the prestigious Female Vocalist of the Year (4 times), Album of the Year (2 times), Hawaiian Album of the Year (3 times), Song of the Year, Group of the Year, most recently Contemporary Album of the Year and even Christmas Album of the Year.

The artists for whom Amy has opened are legendary and include Carlos Santana in Germany, Willie Nelson, Diana Krall, Joe Cocker, Wayne Newton, Arlo Guthrie, The Beach Boys, Ernie Watts, Boz Scaggs, Earth, Wind and Fire, Sergio Mendes and many more. Hânaiali‘i has toured extensively on the East and West Coasts of America, Germany, China, Tahiti and she often frequents Japan. Hanai`ali`i is officially Hawai‘i’s Music Ambassador as proclaimed by Hawai‘i’s former Governor Linda Lingle.

Halau Ka Waikahe Lani Malie, an Antioch based Hula institution under the direction of Kumu Hula Juni Kalahikiola Romuar, will be opening with Ke Kaniwai.

Ice Cream Fundraiser for Make A Wish Foundation

Thursday, September 22nd, 2011

Cold Stone Creamery Antioch-Slatten Ranch and Cold Stone Creamery Brentwood-Balfour At Fairview will hold the world’s biggest ice cream social on Tuesday, September 27th from 5p.m.-8 p.m. Free 3 oz ice cream with one mix in with a donation to Make A Wish!

A Make A Wish child will be at Antioch Cold Stone with her family, her name is Kaitlyn. She is 9 years old and her wish is to go to Disney World. A Make A Wish family will be at Brentwood Cold Stone. Their son just passed away in August.

Peace Poetry Jam

Thursday, September 22nd, 2011


The Interfaith Peace project hosted a September 19th Peace Poetry Jam” at the Antioch Peace Center on Matterhorn Way. Walter Ruehlig moderated this 11 Days of Peace event attended by twenty original poetry composers, rappers, readers and devotees. Pictured, sitting from left to right, are Deer Valley High School English teacher Pandora Sibley and Juniors Payton Walker, Leonel Jiminez and standing Quame Mays and Jose Hernandez.
Photo courtesy of Sue Batterton.

Free Health Lectures

Thursday, September 22nd, 2011

Want to or not, like it or not, you will probably live longer than you thought. Learn how get to 80,90, 100 years and beyond in style – not a human preservative in a nursing home. Only 30% of aging is based on genetics, 70% is attributed to lifestyle choices

Attend this event and learn: A lifestyle fitNESS program you and your family can enjoy for a lifetime, how to avoid preventable diseases, how to get off the diet roller coaster, nutrition tips to keep you young, endurance tips that improve your staying power, strength tips that empower your mind and body, structure tips tha keep you standing straight, strong and healthy for life.

They will be at the Intuitive Healing Center located at 213 G St, Antioch, Ca 94509. Part1: Thur 9/29 @ 6PM and Sat 10/8 @ 3PM. Part2: Sat 10/22 @ 3PM and Thur 11/3 @ 6PM. RSVP to Dr. Brandon Roberts, DC at Deer Valley Chiropractic 925-757-7571.

Boy Scouts AdvanceCamp

Wednesday, September 21st, 2011

AdvanceCamp 2011 will be held Saturday September 24, 2011 at the Contra Costa Fairgrounds in Antioch. The event is the largest single advancement event for Boy Scouts in Northern California.

This year we expect 2,000 attendees, including 1,700 scouts and 300 volunteers. Scouts will be working on rank advancement and over 50 different Merit Badges on their trail to Eagle Scout. The badges this year include four new ones to Boy Scouts: Geocaching, Inventing, Robotics and Scouting Heritage.

For more information contact AdvanceCamp Executive Director Steve Hoagland at 925-595-9156.

AT&T Upgrades Antioch Service

Wednesday, September 21st, 2011

AT&T today announced network upgrades in Antioch designed to provide its customers faster speeds, increased reliability and best-in-class wireless service. AT&T’s network enhancements include a new cell site in Antioch designed to bolster coverage in the area bounded by Hillcrest Avenue and State Highway 4. This will also improve coverage from State Highway 4 to Hidden Glen Drive.

In addition to expanded coverage from the new cell site in Antioch, AT&T has added additional capacity to 34 cell sites in Contra Costa County to help improve overall service.

“Adding more capacity to a cell site is like adding more lanes on the freeway so that voice and data traffic flows faster,” said Terry Stenzel, AT&T Vice President and General Manager for Northern California and Northern Nevada. “Whether customers are talking, texting, e-mailing, surfing the net, streaming music or video, using their favorite apps, or conducting business we want to make sure they have a good mobile broadband experience.”

In addition, AT&T continues upgrading cell sites with fiber optic and Ethernet connections back to the central switching facilities, enabling faster 4G speeds.

“We’re investing in our network in Antioch and Contra Costa County because we’re committed to providing best-in-class wireless voice and data service to our customers,” said Ken McNeely, AT&T’s California President. “AT&T has invested nearly $775 million in its San Francisco Bay Area wireless and wireline networks from 2008-2010, and we will continue investing and making network improvements.”

AT&T’s mobile broadband network provides several important advantages for customers, including the ability to talk and surf at the same time. For instance, customers can look up directions to an event while still talking on the phone, or browse social media sites will chatting with a friend. AT&T also provides access to voice service in more than 220 countries and data service in more than 200 countries. Business Traveler magazine recently named AT&T as having the “Best Mobile Coverage in the World” – the fourth time AT&T has received the distinction.

In addition, most AT&T customers have access to nearly 27,000 AT&T Wi-Fi Hotspots across the country, and nearly 800 across the San Francisco Bay Area at no extra charge. With half of AT&T customers now using smartphones, the popularity of Wi-Fi is soaring. In 2008, there were about 20 million connections to the AT&T Wi-Fi Network. In 2010, that skyrocketed to more than 320 million Wi-Fi connections, and in just the first 6 months of 2011 customers have made more than 443 million connections to the AT&T Wi-Fi Network.

Thanks for Helping Hometown Hero Daniel Fye

Wednesday, September 21st, 2011

To the editor:

I’m writing to express my thanks and gratitude to the community and organizations that came out in support for our “Hometown Hero” Wounded in Action Ssgt. Daniel Fye. The Fye family from Antioch would also like to express their gratitude, the love and support for their son, his wife and 4 children.

Ssgt. Fye has a long road in recovery and rehabilitation. He has been fitted with his prosthesis and is working hard at the Intrepid for Wounded Warriors in Texas with his wife and children. His Mother, father, sister and brother continue to go help out when they can. Thank you also to the newspapers and reporters for taking the interest in the Fye family, helping get the word out for support.

Thank you: VFW Post – 6435 Antioch, VFW Post 202 Brentwood, ALR – Post 161 Antioch, Lions Club – Antioch. The Winners Circle Western Wear – Sue & Fred Pederson, HUGO’s Bar, Roddy Ranch Golf Course, DJ Luna, Strumming for Vets. Vendors: Stella & Dot, AVON, & Michelle’s Photography. The Golden Hills Community Church, Orale Restaurant, Trader Joe’s, Melo’s Pizza, Road Kill Roy & cooking team, Mark Sanchez’s Ink’d up Tattoos, Markstein Beverage Co. & Raley’s. Donations of desserts and side dishes (too many to name). Mayor James & Susan Davis, Councilmember Gary & Robin Agopian, Representative Iris Obrigon, for Assemblymember Joan Bucahnan.

Thank you to all the many volunteers from East County Military Families & East County Veterans. Please continue to pray and support this family, Janis hopes that they will not forget the sacrifice that her son has made and all the other Troops fighting for our freedoms. Thank you, Antioch, there is greatness among us. Seek out the good and continue serving those who serve.

Respectfully,
Josie Monaghan
Founder ~ Director
East County Military Families & Friends

Local Heroes Honored at Blue Mass, Luncheon

Tuesday, September 20th, 2011

Plaques and legislative certificates were given to Antioch P.D. Officer of the Year Jim Stenger, Pittsburg P.D. Officer of the Year Richard Hosier, CCC Fire Prevention District Firefighter of the Year Brett Schooley and California Highway Patrol Office of the Year Mark Mitchell. Photo by Megan Schooley

By Walter Ruehlig

Any thank you will fall short in expressing gratitude to first responders who put their all on the lines day in and day out. On September 17th the Knights of Columbus, as event sponsor for the tenth year running, tried their modest best to show appreciation.

The day started off with a bagpiper leading the way into St. Ignatius of Antioch Church where a resplendent Blue Mass was held in honor of those in uniform who serve us. The choir and organ music, led by Musical Director Don Pearson, was magnificent. The chief homily, given by Rev. Robert Rien, brought many a wet eye and lumped throat.

Luncheon, organized by Knight Gary Clausen and his staff at Twin Rivers Insurance, followed at Lone Tree Golf and Event Center. Walter Ruehlig emceed an alternatingly light-hearted and praise-filled afternoon. The Quintanilla brothers, Antonio and Carlos, assisted by Robert Plurkowski, brought in the colors.

Antioch Police Officer of the Year Jim Stenger and Chief Alan Cantando


Dayang Montilla, an opening pitch mainstay for the Stockton Ports baseball team, sang a stirring Star Spangled Banner, and Richard Asadoorian gave spirited a capella renditions of “Ave Maria” and “To Dream the Impossible Dream.” Sound engineering was donated by Malcolm Hunter, video by Joe Montilla of Snapeye Productions and background music by David Hunter on bass and Greg Lyncj on piano.

In attendance were County Board of Supervisor Mary Piepho, Antioch Mayor Pro Tem Wade Harper, City Councilor Mary Rocha, County Board of Education Trustee Cynthia Ruehlig, Antioch School Board Trustee Gary Hack, Antioch Superintendent of Schools Donald Gill, Antioch Chief of Police Alan Cantando, Pittsburg Chief of Police Aaron Baker, Fire Captain Ben Sanders, Lieut. Chris Sherry, Maurice Delmer representing Assemblywoman Susan Bonilla, and Emelyn Struthers representing State Senator Mark DeSaulnier.

Plaques and legislative certificates were given to Antioch P.D. Officer of the Year Jim Stenger, Pittsburg P.D. Officer of the Year Richard Hosier, CCC Fire Prevention District Firefighter of the Year Brett Schooley and California Highway Patrol Office of the Year Mark Mitchell.