Archive for November, 2017

State Senator Glazer to hold Holiday Open House in Antioch, Thursday, Nov. 30

Sunday, November 26th, 2017

Vote and enter to win prizes in the 2017 Rivertown Holiday Store & Window Décor contest

Saturday, November 25th, 2017

Download Official Ballots, here – 2017 Holiday Window Decor Contest Ballot web

Ronnie Laws performs live at Southern Cafe in Rivertown following the lighted parades, Saturday, Dec. 2

Friday, November 24th, 2017

Visit and get photos with Santa at Somersville Towne Center in Antioch beginning today, Friday, Nov 24

Friday, November 24th, 2017

Forget shopping, Opt Outside on Black Friday with free entry to East Bay parks

Thursday, November 23rd, 2017

Entrance to the East Bay Regional Park District will be free on Black Friday (Nov. 24) to encourage people to visit parks, not malls.

The Park District will be waiving fees for parking, dogs, horses, boat launching and fishing permits at all 65 parks in the District. Entrance fees at Ardenwood Historic Farm will also be waived. This is the third year the Park District has been free on Black Friday.

“Getting out into nature the day after Thanksgiving is a great way to spend time with the family,” said General Manager Robert Doyle. “The East Bay Regional Park District is pleased to be part of the annual ‘Opt Outside’ event that encourages people nationally to connect with nature by visiting a park or going for a hike on Black Friday.”

Fee waiver does not apply to state fees, including fishing licenses and watercraft inspections, and does not apply to District concessions such as the Tilden Merry-Go-Round and train.

Opt Outside started in 2015 when REI closed it doors on Black Friday and encouraged its employees and the public to explore the outdoors instead of shopping. More than 1.4 million people and 170 organizations participate in Opt Outside each year.

To find a park or activity visit www.ebparks.org.

Lucky Chocolate Bar Giveaway, visit and photos with Santa begin at Somersville Towne Center, Friday, Nov. 24

Wednesday, November 22nd, 2017

Antioch Council approves sale of former Humphrey’s restaurant to local real estate investor, developer

Wednesday, November 22nd, 2017

A view of the former Humphrey’s on the Delta restaurant from the river. Oct. 8, 2017. Photos by Allen Payton

An estimated $1,000,000 in renovations have already begun, restaurant will have a seafood, nautical theme.

By Allen Payton

According to a press release from the city, “The City of Antioch is excited to announce the sale of the old Humphrey’s Restaurant at the Antioch Marina in preparation for a new quality restaurant. Since 2012 the One Marina Plaza building, also known as Humphreys Restaurant, has sat vacant. At their Tuesday night Nov. 14 meeting the City Council voted unanimously to approve the sale of the property to Sean McCauley Investments, Inc. (SMI) for $1,200,000.

SMI is planning to renovate the building over the next several months and will be entering into a lease with RLW Properties the owners/operators of Zephyr Grill and Bar, who currently have two restaurant locations in Brentwood and Livermore. RLW Properties will finalize the interior improvements including an entirely new kitchen as well as a banquet facility for this unique waterfront establishment.

This acquisition by SMI will continue the revitalization of Antioch’s historic downtown.”

The sale includes both the building, which the city acquired a few years ago, as well as the land which the city has owned since the restaurant was first built.

Families enjoy dining at Humphrey’s on Mother’s Day in 2011. Herald file photo.

Following the staff presentation by Antioch’s Economic Development Program Manager Lizeht Zepeda and Allan Walkin, a consultant who works with the city on real estate issues, Councilman Tony Tiscareno was the first to comment and ask questions.

“I know you’re doing everything that you can to improve the downtown,” he said to McCauley. “We’ve been frustrated with the marina, with the downtown area. For many years the downtown area hasn’t really moved as much as we want it to. I’m optimistic. There’s potential out there.”

“What happens if Zephyr’s doesn’t pan out?” Tiscareno then asked.

“The frustration you have, with the economic downturn, many cities experienced that,” McCauley responded. “Antioch is a little bit behind the curve.”

“If Zephyr’s doesn’t come in then we will find someone else,” he explained. “The problem with the building is it’s old. An operator isn’t a construction company. They want to walk into a place and say ‘OK this is my vision. This is what I want to do.’ When you walk into over there it’s kind of difficult to do. That’s the missing piece. This is why I’m here. I can kind of fill in that gap.”

“So, who do we get if Randy and Lynn (the owners of Zephyr) don’t come through?” McCauley asked responding to Tiscareno’s question. “I’m not really worried about it. It’s my $1.2 million that I earned. I’m not going to let it sit around.”

“You are going to make it restaurant ready for the most part for these folks,” stated Tiscareno.

“The only one you should be worried about is me,” McCauley said with a laugh by him and Tiscareno.

“I do to a certain respect,” Tiscareno said. “I want to make sure you continue to invest in this city and I know you’re doing that and also entice others. So, this is a starting point. I’m really encouraged. I really want to see this go through. I’m looking forward to dining out there.”

Mayor Pro Tem Lamar Thorpe then made a motion to approve the sale of the property and Councilwoman Lori Ogorchock seconded it.

“I’ve lived here five years and I’ve never seen Humphrey’s open,” Thorpe said. “So, let’s make something happen.”

However, before he allowed the vote, Mayor Sean Wright had one question of staff and McCauley.

“I’m excited to see you come in,” Wright said. “There’s nothing in the contract that I see that has any sort of non-performance clause. I know that you’re not worried about that. But, let’s say in three years you haven’t fixed it up. There’s nothing protecting the city from you sitting on this forever. Am I wrong, Allan?”

“No that’s correct,” Walkin responded.

“As we finalize this is there some any for us to have some sort of assurance?” Wright asked.

“No,” McCauley responded to laughter from Wright. “We need to do this deal now.”

“No, no. I’m not trying to push it off,” Wright said.

“Are you talking in respect to fixing the building up?” McCauley saked.

“Yeah, I’m talking in respect of fixing the building,” Wright responded. “You go in there and you go ‘you know what? This isn’t worth it to me.’ You know we’re a year from now we’re still sitting and it still hasn’t been fixed it up.”

McCauley projects there will be $1,000,000 in improvements to the building.

“As far as the building, we did pull all the permits already. We put the fencing up, today,” McCauley responded. “We have a delivery there of lumber. So, we’re ready to go.”

“I’m not trying to put anything on you that is encumbrant,” Wright said. “I mean if you don’t find a tenant I’m willing to work with that.”

“I think we’ll probably be done with the first stage of the construction which is what we really want to do is get the outside and the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliance finished,” McCauley explained. “The outside façade, the decking, everything, the dry rot, everything refreshed, the landscaping. If we can engage with Zephyr between that time, great.”

“They’re very excited to be there, by the way,” he continued. “I’ve worked with them in the past, obviously so, I would rather have them there. But, I really want to make the first impression if another operator has to come in there, I want it a no-brainer for them. When you walk into that building and you see what it can be, it’s exciting.”

“Let’s get this done,” Wright responded.

“I just want to put everybody’s mind at ease,” Ogorchock stated. “If Sean McCauley Investments, if he says he’s going to do it, he’s going to do it,” Ogorchock said. “So, he will do exactly what he says he’s going to do. Every bit of my faith is in Sean. So, thank you, Sean.”

“Thank you,” McCauley responded.

Then the council voted 5-0 to approve the sale to applause from the audience.

Following the meeting, McCauley who owns other buildings in Antioch’s historic, downtown Rivertown including the Old Casino Building next Waldie Plaza and the recently acquired Old Garage building on 3rd and H Streets, said he believes the opening of the new restaurant there will be “a key lynchpin to getting the rest of downtown improved.”

“Now all the hard work begins,” he continued, adding “We look forward to making it shine and last and getting the best operator, which I believe will be Randy and his group.”

“It will have a seafood and nautical theme,” McCauley added.

Jeremy Newberry’s annual Toy Drive & Car Show to be held Saturday, Dec. 3 in Antioch VFW Hall

Tuesday, November 21st, 2017