I want to thank everyone who voted in our last election. As a first-time candidate, I was impressed by the turnout. We all need to remember that voting is essential for our freedoms. Even if you didn’t support me with your vote, you supported our basic freedom to choose.

The school board has a task set before it that we all need to keep watch on. It is never enough to vote someone into office, but we must watch and question when those ideals we voted for are not put into practice.

Thank you, Antioch, for keeping freedom alive.

Jack Yeager

On December 29 just after 8 p.m., Antioch police responded to a report of a man shot at1504 Sycamore Drive. Police found Jason Alexander Reddic, 28, in front of the four-plex with at least one gunshot wound. At that time, Reddic was responsive but severely injured. Life-saving measures were taken and he was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Police are currently interviewing several potential witnesses. At this time no arrests have been made and no suspects have been identified. Anyone with information regarding this investigation should contact Det. James Stenger at (925) 779-6894.

This was Antioch’s 15th homicide of the year and sixth in what has turned out to be a bloody December. The city has recently laid off six police officers from an already diminished force, with additional layoffs possible.

Start the New Year off by giving to our local community through the Antioch Rotary Community Blood Drive at Lone Tree Golf Course Clubhouse, 4800 Gold Course Road, Antioch, on Tuesday January 4 from  2 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Every donation will impact the lives of up to three patients in local community hospitals! To sign up for your preferred donation time, simply log on to www.redcrossblood.org and enter Sponsor Code: AntiochRotary. Or call 1.800.RED.CROSS ( 800.733.2767; Press 1, then Press 4) Photo ID is required at donation. For donor eligibility questions, please call 1.866.236.3276.

El Campanil Children’s Theatre will be holding auditions for their March production of The Secret Garden. Auditions take place at El Campanil Theatre, 602 W. 2nd Street, Antioch on Monday, January 10 at 4 p.m. There is no participation fee. Cast requirements: Roles for teens and adults and some younger children; 14 female, 8 male. This is a show that requires strong voices and features characters with different ethnicities.

No appointment necessary. Arrive promptly at 4 p.m. to complete audition form before audition. Cold reading from script, improvs. Rehearsals begin January 17. Performances March 24 – April 7th. Directed by Sharon Redman. For more information visit http://www.elcampaniltheatre.com/childrens_theatre.htm or call 757-9500.

The Greatest News Ever Given

The lyrics in the old Christmas carol pretty much sum up the story of Christmas: “Hark the herald angels sing, ‘Glory to the newborn king! Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled.’” Because that’s how it’s described in the book of Luke, chapter 2 in the Bible.

“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby [Bethlehem], keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.’ Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.’” Luke 2:8-14

As we celebrate Christmas, today, exchanging and opening presents, eating wonderful homemade food and watching classic Christmas movies, let’s remember what this holiday is really all about – celebrating the birthday of Jesus, the Christ.

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An unidentified flying object has been spotted over Antioch. Police are asking residents, particularly boys and girls who have been good this year, to be on the lookout.

Witnesses have described the object as a sleigh attached to flying reindeer that is driven by a white male in his late 50s or 60s with a long, white beard, wearing a red and white uniform. He’s been seen landing on rooftops around the city with no damage done and many presents left behind.

Police describe him as a “person of interest” and would like to detain him for questioning. But the unknown philanthropist has eluded attempts to capture him.

Reached for comment, the suspect said, “Ho, ho, ho! Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!”

Nineteen local non-profits have something to be thankful for – Dow employees who volunteer in their organizations.  Through a newly launched program called “iGive”, The Dow Chemical Company (Dow) allows employees who volunteer more than 25 hours a year to a single organization to nominate that organization for a $500 grant.

The criteria are simple.  The Dow employee must volunteer a minimum of 25 hours to the organization, the organization must be a 501(c)(3), school or municipality, and the organization must be in the community where the employee lives or works.  The organizations sharing this $10,000 gift are:

•  
  • American Red Cross – Concord
  • Antioch High School Wrestling Team
  • Boy Scouts of America (Troops 153, 298 and 248)
  • Clayton Community Library Foundation
  • Clayton Valley High School
  • Community Emergency Response Team – Concord
  • CYO Basketball Organization – Antioch
  • Delta Youth Soccer League – Antioch
  • Halau Ke Waikahe Lani Malie — Sacramento
  • JARCC Diablo Athletic – Concord
  • Junior Optimist Baseball/Softball League – Concord
  • Lindsay Wildlife Museum – Walnut Creek
  • Michael Valle Foundation (two grants) – Pittsburg
  • O’Hara Park Middle School – Oakley
  • One Day at a Time – Brentwood
  • Solano County SPCA – Vacaville
  • Survivors – Bethel Island

“I knew we had employees giving their time in a variety of places throughout the community,” said Patty Deutsche, Senior Manager of Public Affairs at Dow Pittsburg.  “What surprised me was the number of hours being donated.  In nearly every case (employees’ estimates ranged from 40 hours to 425 hours), as we verified the hours with the organization, the employee underestimated their own hours.”

In total, the twenty employees donated more than 2,400 hours in the past year.  Typically, Dow donations must meet strict criteria – relating to education, science or the environment.  This new program, iGive, “rewards” the employee by rewarding the organization about which they are passionate.  It’s truly a win-win-win situation.

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About Dow
Dow is a diversified chemical company that combines the power of science and technology with the “Human Element” to constantly improve what is essential to human progress. The Company delivers a broad range of products and services to customers in approximately 160 countries, connecting chemistry and innovation with the principles of sustainability to help provide everything from fresh water, food and pharmaceuticals to paints, packaging and personal care products. In 2008, Dow had annual sales of $57.5 billion and employed approximately 46,000 people worldwide. The Company has 150 manufacturing sites in 35 countries and produces approximately 3,300 products. On April 1, 2009, Dow acquired Rohm and Haas Company, a global specialty materials company with sales of $10 billion in 2008, 98 manufacturing sites in 30 countries and approximately 15,000 employees worldwide. References to “Dow” or the “Company” mean The Dow Chemical Company and its consolidated subsidiaries unless otherwise expressly noted. More information about Dow can be found at www.dow.com.

About Dow’s Pittsburg Operations

The Dow Chemical Company purchased the Pittsburg facility in 1939 from the Great Western Electrochemical Company. It is one of more than 150 manufacturing sites located in 37 countries around the world and supports two of Dow’s eight global businesses – Dow AgroSciences and Performance Chemicals.  The Pittsburg facility produces a variety of products used in personal care products as well as a variety of crop protection products and intermediates. www.dowpittsburg.com

By Dr. Brandon Roberts, DC

December 2010 marks not only the end of another year but the end of the decade. Over the past ten years we have seen cell phones and the Internet change the way we communicate, access information and interact with each other. We have also seen economic ups and downs and a continuing health care debate that never seems to lead anywhere.

Think about your last ten years and the decade for the people that you love. How is your health? Theirs? Are you happy? Are you making progress in living the lifestyle you want or are you on a treadmill leading nowhere?

Look at your family photos of parents, grandparents and great grandparents. Do you like the way they aged? The choices you make today about what you eat and drink, how you move and take care of your spine and nervous system will affect your life now and for the decades to come.

If somebody said to you ten years ago, “How do you want your health to be in 2011?” you may have thought they were crazy. Well, that decade has passed. 2020, believe it or not, is right around the corner. Just like you may be saying, “I cannot believe it is 2011!” that is how you will probably feel ten years from now. What is it going to take for you to make the changes that you know you need to make to ensure the quality lifestyle that you deserve?

When it comes to your health, it is time to set commit to new goals. If your goal has been to lose weight and you have been on a roller coaster then don’t just go on another diet. Make healthy eating a part of your lifestyle. When it comes to exercise, if you have been a “weekend warrior” it is time to make fitness a part of your lifestyle each day.

Pay attention to your posture and the length of time that you sit at your desk, in the car or on the couch. Excessive sitting can cause spine and nervous system problems that may affect your whole body.

In January 1903, the Newark Advocate published the Wizard Edison, which produced Thomas Edison’s famous quote, “The doctor of the future will give no medicine but will interest his patients in the care of the human frame, in diet, and in the cause and prevention of disease.” It is 2011 and the future is now. It is time to make this statement your reality.

Through these newsletters, the educational information we provide and the chiropractic services that care for your frame and impact your entire body through your nervous system, we will strive to help you to be younger, healthier and stronger in a decade than you are right now. Will more stress get you there? How about more sitting, more driving or more drugs? Of course not.

If up until now you have been a crisis-oriented person, stop. If you are on a weight gain, weight loss roller coaster, stop. If you only get adjustments when you have pain or are sick, it is time to make the Critical Transition from Crisis Care to Lifestyle Care and take your health to the next level.

How old is the oldest grandparent in your family who ever lived? Remember, you have their genes and you will most likely be here for another decade, or maybe even two or three at least. It is time to maximize your health and live your ideal 100 Year Lifestyle.

You are the one who must be responsible for your health, not the government or your insurance company. They may or may not help. The laws may change and you may change insurance companies but no matter who is in office, it is your responsibility to take care of you.

Don’t wait for a crisis. Make the next year and the next decade the best years of your life.

Dr. Brandon Roberts, DC is a 100 Year Lifestyle Affiliate Office. This column is reprinted with permission of The Family Practice, Inc.
Deer Valley Chiropractic
3381 Deer Valley Road
Antioch, CA 94531
925-757-7571