BART riders will notice extra security today and in the future, as the transit system steps up police presence following the death of al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden. While there has been no specific threat, BART is taking a number of steps to increase security out of an abundance of caution, Chief Communications Officer Linton Johnson said.

BART has postponed a training exercise that had been scheduled today for its Critical Asset Patrol Team — a special group of officers whose expertise includes a counterterrorism focus. Extra officers are being brought in to supplement that team. In addition, transportation supervisors from throughout the agency are out and about in the system, noticeable in their bright green vests, to provide even more scrutiny.

As always, BART encourages riders to speak up if they notice any unusual behavior, unattended packages or anything suspicious. On the train, they can use the intercom to contact the train operator, or they can call BART police or in an emergency, 911 (see safety page link for numbers and additional info).

“If you see anything suspicious, please let us know,” Johnson said. He noted that the entire workforce of BART employees — nearly 3,500 people — are watching throughout their individual areas. “But with 350,000 riders a day, that’s another 700,000 eyes on the system as well, that can really help us to know what’s going on,” Johnson said.

Johnson said there was no specific timetable yet for how long the extra security will stay in place, but it would be “as long as we need it to feel comfortable.”

To get the latest on BART news including any delay advisories, go to bart.gov; m.bart.gov on your mobile device; bart.gov/alerts to sign up for email or SMS messaging; or bart.gov/SMS for on-demand text messages.

Why on April 26th did the Antioch City Council adopt only a temporary moratorium on the establishment and operation of medical marijuana collectives, cooperatives and dispensaries? Antioch already had an ordinance stating that any business operating within the jurisdiction of the city of Antioch must be in compliance with city, state and federal law. Possession, cultivation, use or distribution of marijuana is deemed illegal by the federal government.

City staff explained they want time to study the differences among medical marijuana collectives, cooperatives and dispensaries (hint to staff – if it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it’s a duck), whether there should be a limit on the number of permitted locations and whether they should only be permitted in certain zoning districts and if so, which zoning districts would be appropriate for such uses.

Background Information: In 1996 California voters approved Prop. 215 allowing persons to obtain and use marijuana for medical purposes under limited specified circumstances and not be subject to criminal prosecution. In 2003, the California Legislature adopted Senate Bill 420 which created a state approved voluntary medical marijuana ID card program. (Marijuana continues to be a prohibited Schedule 1 drug for which there is no currently accepted medical use.)

However, in 2009 a memo from the U.S. Dept of Justice indicated the Department’s intent not to use Federal resources on marijuana prosecution if an individual’s actions are “in clear and unambiguous compliance with existing state laws providing for the medical use of marijuana”. This, of course, prompted an increase in marijuana dispensaries through the State.

Subsequently, some California cities that permitted the establishment of medical marijuana dispensaries experienced an increase in crimes which led to the California Police Chiefs’ Association in 2009 issuing a “White Paper” stating that many violent crimes in California, including armed robberies and murders, as well as illegal use and sale of marijuana by minors, can be traced back to the proliferation of marijuana dispensaries.

Dispensaries have also lead to loitering, vandalism, illegal electrical alterations, fires and criminal activities at or near dispensaries. San Jose had two arson fires at pot dispensaries – one this January and another in April. This past weekend the Capitola Healing Association, a pot cooperative was also deliberately burned.

By the end of 2009 at least 120 California cities and eight counties decided to ban dispensaries, and did so by enforcing licensing and zoning rules to keep them out of town.

Due to negative effects such facilities have on public, health, safety and welfare, I think the city, which has a diminished police staff and no code enforcement officers, should adopt a permanent BAN on the establishment and operation of medical marijuana collectives, cooperatives and dispensaries.

AUSD High School Art4Schools Exhibit continues at the Lynn House Gallery through May 7th. E.N.C.O.R.E. Home School exhibit runs May 8th-18th, with the artist reception on May 8th from 4-6 PM. The Art4Schools program is sponsored by the city of Antioch and a grant from CCC Supervisor Federal Glover.

The Lynn House Gallery is located at 809 W. 1st Street, in downtown Antioch and is open on Wednesdays & Saturdays from 1-4 PM (excluding reception dates).

Lynn House Gallery Downtown Antioch

May Events
5/7: Antioch Neighborhood Cleanup
5/7: Japan Relief Fundraiser
5/6-8: “Little Women: Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy” 4/29-5/8

5/4: East CCC Artist Open Studio Tour Preview
5/20-23: East CCC Artist Open Studio Tour
5/30: Antioch Memorial Day Thunder

April Event Photos
Art4Schools AUSD High Schools Exhibit
Art4Schools Special Day Classes Exhibit
Antioch Chamber Gala/Citizens of the Year Awards
Comcast Cares – Turner Elementary School

Keep Antioch Beautiful
Click here for more community photo albums

ECCC Artist Open Studio Tour 2011

Artist Opportunities

Evaline Webb & Friends Exhibit, Lynn House Gallery
7th Annual Celebration of Art

42nd National Exhibition Water+Color

PACO Summer Exhibit
Brentwood Farmers Market Art Walk

Ongoing Events

Antioch Historical Society Museum

Sports Legends Museum

East County Military Families & Friends Events

About ACFA

The Arts & Cultural Foundation of Antioch (ACFA) is dedicated to advancing all of the arts in a way that promotes communication, education, appreciation, cultural diversity and collaboration throughout our community.

Kleban Award-Winner to Premiere ‘Imaginary Love’ at Hapgood Theatre Company

For the final production of the 2010-2011 Season, the Hapgood Theatre Company is thrilled to present the world premiere of Kait Kerrigan’s play “Imaginary Love.” A finalist for the 2006 Princess Grace Award, this play documents the relationships between two young couples in New York.

Kara and Lyle are no longer an item. They are pursuing other romances – Lyle with a smoking hot, leading expert in electrical engineering, Kara with the editor-in-chief at Forbes – throwing themselves into their careers and doing everything they can to move forward with their lives. Yet they are connected in the head and heart in ways that make them begin to wonder if they will ever really be able to let each other go.

A genius at manipulating the relationships of space and time, Kerrigan spins a profoundly captivating tale of the parallel evolutions of love and life, and the turning points that take us through them. The Hapgood is especially pleased to announce that the New York-based playwright will be present throughout the rehearsal process, making revisions in preparation for the premiere, and will stay through opening night on June 3.

KAIT KERRIGAN is a playwright, lyricist, and bookwriter. She made her Off-Broadway debut in 2006 with her musical Henry and Mudge, written with composer Brian Lowdermilk. Henry and Mudge went on to win her the Kleban Award for Most Promising Librettist. This season, her play Transit was presented at the 2010 Lark Play Development Center’s Playwrights’ Week and her play Imaginary Love will receive a world-premiere production at the Hapgood Theatre in Antioch, CA. Additional works include The Unauthorized Autobiography of Samantha Brown, The Freshman Experiment, Tales $om the Bad Years, The Woman Upstairs, and Wrong Number (all musicals written with Brian Lowdermilk).

The Unauthorized Autobiography of Samantha Brown is currently under option with Beth Williams and Broadway Across America and received a developmental production at the Orange County Performing Arts Center in 2009. Kerrigan’s work has been developed by the La Jolla Playhouse, Primary Stages, Lark Play Development Center, Manhattan Theatre Club, Perry Mansfield New Works Festival, ASCAP/Disney Workshop, New York Musical Theatre Festival, National Alliance of Musical Theatre, CAP21, Goodspeed, the Orchard Project, and others. She was a Dramatists Guild Fellow, a 2006 Larson Award winner, and, releases her first album with Lowdermilk entitled Our First Mistake on the Sh-K-Boom label. Kerrigan is an alumna of Barnard College, and a member of ASCAP, the Dramatists Guild, and NewMusicalTheatre.com. For more information, visit www.kerrigan-lowdermilk.com.

Imaginary Love plays at the Nick Rodriguez Theater in Antioch, June 2 – 19, 2011, Thursdays at 7:30pm, Fridays & Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 2pm.

Cast: Michael Barrett Austin*, Roselyn Hallett, Bill Olson* and Maryssa Wanlass
* Member of Actors’ Equity Association

Creative Team: Kait Kerrigan (Playwright), Josy Miller (Director), Jason Miller (Production Design), Nicole Langley* (Stage Manager)
* Member of Actors’ Equity Association

Press Quotes:
“Perhaps the most important young writers in musical theater today.”
—TALKIN’ BROADWAY on Kerrigan and her writing partner Brian Lowdermilk
“This latest production is full of luxurious romps in the grass, tender caresses and big, wet kisses. ”
—THE NEW YORK TIMES on Kerrigan/Lowdermilk’s Henry and Mudge

Tickets: $15 – $35. Tickets are available by calling the box office at (925) 219-8545 or at www.hapgoodtheatre.org.