COFFEE AT THE CHAMBER –

Speaker- Josh Sauberman

ServPro of Antioch

Learn to spot potential problems before they cost you money

Tuesday, June 14th, 8:30AM-10:00 AM

For more info call (925) 757-1800

BROWN BAG LUNCH @ The Chamber

Speaker- Glen Laugton

Eco Business Center

Learn more about using the internet for your business

Thursday, June 16th, 12:15PM-1:15 PM

FREE- For more info call (925) 757-1800

ANTIOCH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE MIXER

Thursday, June 23th, 5PM-7PM

Intuitive Healing Center Antioch

213 G Street – Antioch, CA 94509

Come out and enjoy fun, food and networking. Don’t forget your business cards!

For more info call (925) 757-1800

BART has partnered with Google and top transit agencies from around the world to bring real time transit information to a new beta service called Google Live Transit Updates.

Riders can now see BART real time departures and service advisories everywhere Google provides BART schedules, including Google Maps, Google Maps for Mobile and Google Place Pages.

“Now when you Google your directions with the ‘by public transit’ option on Google Maps, you are able to see the real time departure information for BART trains, in addition to the suggested routes, which makes taking public transportation even easier and more efficient.” BART Board President Bob Franklin said.

BART was part of an international partnership of transit agencies from Boston, Madrid, Portland, San Diego and Torino that created a standard, lightweight way to describe real time arrivals and service advisories for use in this project. The resulting real time specification is built to work with the General Transit Feed Specification, which was originally developed for Google Transit in 2006.

“We’ve created a new data specification for sharing real time information. For now it’s powering Live Transit Updates, but in the future it can be used by even more innovative services,” BART Website Manager Timothy Moore said.

In 2007, BART became one of the first transit agencies in the country to provide standardized data for use in third-party apps and website. BART pioneered an open data strategy that powers more than three dozen apps and has served as a model for other transit agencies across the country.

After evaluating the beta release of Live Transit Updates, BART will open up this newest real time data feed to drive even more innovative third-party apps, websites, kiosks, navigation and location-based services.

Remember: this is a beta release, so for best BART information anywhere use the BART website (bart.gov) or BART’s mobile site (m.bart.gov). We also have on-demand SMS (bart.gov/sms) and subscription-based email/SMS services (bart.gov/alerts).

Majority of riders want wider aisles in Fleet of the Future

By MELISSA JORDAN
BART Senior Web Producer

A large majority of riders are telling BART they would give up 2 inches of seat width in exchange for wider aisles. The wider aisles are designed to make it easier for customers on crowded trains to get to the train doors to exit. Wider aisles also will make the new cars more spacious and comfortable for standees during peak periods.

BART is hosting seat labs to gather public input on the project to replace its entire fleet of train cars, the oldest in the nation, with the Fleet of the Future. BART invites you to tour a mobile, interactive seat lab where you can try out new train car seating designs and give feedback on Saturday, June 18, 11 am – 3 pm at Prewett Family Park and Community Center, 4701 Lone Tree Way, Antioch, in the parking lot (adjacent to the water park).

“It’s totally OK to get a little bit closer if it means more space to accommodate people,” Carrie Harvilla, a BART rider who toured a seat lab Thursday in Union City, said as she filled out a survey.

BART’s current seats, at 22 inches, are among the widest of any transit system.

In a recent seat lab controlled for random sampling, about 90% of those surveyed said they found 20-inch-wide seats acceptable. Those customers picked wider aisles at the expense of slightly narrower seats, which would still be fairly wide relative to others in the industry. “I prefer the width of the current seats, but I understand that there are tradeoffs to be made,” Christian Schultz, another visitor to the Union City seat lab, added.

A design with wider aisles could make it easier for people to get on and off trains efficiently, with the potential to get trains in and out of stations more quickly. Another benefit would be better accommodation for people with disabilities. Robin Guild, who toured the seat lab in Union City and who uses a wheelchair, said wider aisles would make things easier for him.

Other findings of the controlled sample were that 63% preferred forward-facing to sideways seats; 97% found 27 inches of legroom acceptable (compared to 29 inches currently); and respondents rated cleanliness at 6.28 and comfort at 4.88 on a scale with 1 being “not at all important” and 7 being “very important.”

Armrests were a toss-up with 49% preferring no armrests and 36% wanting armrests, within the margin of error making it about equal. Download the complete survey results.

The results of the randomized sample will be tracked against results coming in from a series of demonstrations for the general public, featuring a mini version of the seat lab. The mini version of the survey includes questions about seat width; armrests; accommodations for bikes, luggage ands strollers; passenger information; seat materials; and other design ideas.

ACCOMMODATING DIFFERENT NEEDS

At Thursday’s event in Union City, rider Michael Jordan said that accommodating people with disabilities should be a priority. “There’s got to be access to available seating near the doors,” he said, suggesting more prominent signage of the notice that seats must be given up for people with disabilities. “The signs now are too small,” he said.

Anna Sanchez was thinking about needs of parents as she pushed her baby in a stroller down the seat lab aisles while her two older children, ages 10 and 8, helped fill out the survey. “We ride BART every day, Monday through Friday,” she said. “I wanted them to come out and see this because they’ll be riding BART when these new trains get here.” The seat labs are just one of the ways BART is gathering public input.

MORE SEAT LABS SCHEDULED

Six seat labs for the general public have now been completed — one each in San Francisco, Pittsburg, Richmond, Union City and two in Oakland. Five more are planned by the end of June to complete the calendar — at Dublin/Pleasanton, Pleasant Hill, South San Francisco and tentatively one for Antioch and another in San Francisco. (See bart.gov/cars for the schedule.) Surveys from the general public labs will be analyzed and added to the mix.

In addition, BART is collecting email feedback, with more than 1,000 comments already received from the public. (Submit yours here). The general public seat labs already have collected around 1000 surveys. Earlier versions of the seat lab sought comments from groups of riders with specific concerns, such as riders with disabilities, senior citizens and bicyclists. Another version was the controlled sample described above.

The feedback will be shared with industrial designers, who will use it to come up with three renderings that incorporate the most-requested features and try to balance tradeoffs for the best possible interior design. Then, later this summer, there will be another round of public input on those three models. Based on that public input, BART will give design guidance to the company that ultimately will build the train cars. Five builders have submitted proposals for the job.

Sign up to receive updates on the Fleet of the Future, or submit your feedback, at www.bart.gov/cars.

The display of indifference to human suffering by Alameda police and firemen during the drowning of Raymond Zack is reminiscent of a case I handled in Contra Costa County.

On July 19, 2009, I begged the Human Resources Director to use “wise managerial discretion in preventing what could be a catastrophic mistake should XXX deteriorate to an irreversible physical condition.” As union steward, I was writing a letter on behalf of a county employee of the Employment and Human Services Department who was experiencing major life difficulties.

In a one and a half-year period, XXX saw the death of her mother and brother, hospitalization of her husband and foreclosure of her home. The string of tragedies weakened her physical and emotional well-being resulting in frequent absences from work. Due to the absences, her salary was not enough to cover a $24.61 automatic deduction payment share towards her medical insurance, a benefit available to all county employees.

The County Auditor sent a deficit notice to her foreclosed home even though the paycheck issued by the same County Auditor had always been sent to her work. Unaware of the situation, XXX made no payment and her medical insurance was cancelled. According to county policy, it could not be re-instated until the next benefit enrollment period one year later.

XXX faced an impossible vicious cycle. She needed daily medication to function. Without medical insurance she had to buy her own medicine. However, without medication, she was too sick to work and earn enough money to pay for medication. In desperation, XXX applied for Medi-Cal from the very department she worked in. XXX was told in a denial letter that since her employer provided medical insurance, she was not entitled to public assistance.

I was called to represent XXX for excessive absences. I appealed for re-instatement of her medical insurance as a solution to her attendance issues. I sent, via certified mail, my own personal check to pay for the unpaid balance. The check was returned.

For one year, XXX struggled with sporadic work attendance. When benefit enrollment time came, she was eager to again receive medical insurance and, finally, resolve medical and attendance issues. However, simultaneous to the re-instatement of her medical insurance, XXX was fired for excessive absences. Again, I begged; this time, to the Director of the Employment and Human Services Department, for a one month chance to prove that, with medical insurance and medication, XXX can maintain acceptable attendance.

To all efforts, I repeatedly heard a resounding “NO” from the Human Resources Director, Personnel Benefits Manager, Director and Assistant Director of Employment and Human Services Department, the five members of the Merit Board and the State Administrative Law Judge.

Employment termination was not the final tragedy. XXX died in February 2011 at the age of 42; apparently from irreversible deterioration of her physical condition.

Sadly, we cannot undo her untimely death. We can only hope for a county government that does not enshrine callous protocol and policy over justice and compassion.

Cynthia Ruehlig

The Arts & Cultural Foundation, once again in partnership with the Antioch Historical Society, will host the 7th Celebration of Art 2011 Exhibit at the Antioch Historical Society Museum. This is a non-juried exhibit with no required theme, with 50+ local artists participating in the event. The event begins on Saturday, June 25th, with an artist reception from 2-4 p.m. and continues through July 16th.

Artists who have signed up for the exhibit so far are: Chris Jacques, Julia Offord, Kay Kirby, Michelle Ramirez, Mauricio Ramirez, Sherry Cummings, Anthony Woodruff, Laurie DiMaggio, Bob Driskell, Tom Dudziak, Nordyn Anderson, Mayette Ignacio, Joel Summerhill, Gigi Miller, Sandy Gangwer, Ken Tomlin, Sherry Morris, Easy Gonzalez, Kathleen Henderson, Andre Salvador, Lisa Slazar, Fred Hoskins, Jean-Louise Cucuel, Karen Nelson Kelly, Milian C M Correa, Michele Brady, Dale Burkhardt, Deela Hubbartt, Kyoko Campbell, Linda Faulkenberry, Kelsey Burkhart, Susan Burkhardt, Helen Elizabeth, FroGard Butler, John Goodner, Kaitlyn Campbell, Paul Schorr, Clyde Cox, Lita Andino, Rosalinda Grejsen, Lee Williams, John Nicolini, Pat Prejza, Mary Lamb, Gloria Pohan.

The event, artist reception and entry to the museum are free. The Antioch Historical Society Museum is located at 1500 W. 4th Street in Antioch and is open Wednesdays & Saturdays, from 1-4 PM. Admission to the museum is free. Please email Diane@Art4Antioch.org or call (925) 325-9897 if you would like additional information.

The Arts & Cultural Foundation of Antioch is proud to host the FREE ANTIOCH SATURDAY SUMMER CONCERTS SERIES every Saturday evening in July and August from 6-8 pm.

Due to the generosity of the Lesher Foundation, the summer concert series has expanded to include every Saturday in July and August. The concert venue is once again Waldie Plaza (2nd and I Streets) in the Rivertown district in downtown Antioch. Bring your blankets, lawn chairs, picnic dinners and enjoy music, and a cool breeze off the Delta. This is a great opportunity to visit the downtown restaurants before or after the concerts. There is no alcohol or smoking permitted in Waldie Plaza.

The series kicks off on the holiday weekend, Vocal Ease & the Boogie Men, a local favorite, performing a variety of nostalgic music from the 40’s, 50’s & 60’s on Saturday, July 2nd. The lineup continues on July 9th with 80’s RetroManiax, Special Request on July 16th, Juke Joint on July 23rd, Mojo Addiction on July 30th, PhDs on August 6th, Rodeo House on August 13th, Harvey & the Wall Bangers on August 20th and the final concert will be Mixed Nuts on August 27th.

The concert series is made possible by a grant from the Lesher Foundation and the following sponsors: City of Antioch, Arts & Cultural Foundation of Antioch, East Contra Costa Times, Give Always to Others & Company (GATO), the Antioch Chamber of Commerce, FastSigns and Clay, Millias, & Co, LLP.

For more information, visit www.art4antioch.org or contact Diane Gibson-Gray at the Arts & Cultural Foundation at 925.325.9897 or e-mail Diane@Art4Antioch.org.

On June 4 at approximately 12:45 a.m., Antioch police received a call about people gambling near a bar at 2500 Sycamore Drive. When officers arrived, they found several people kneeling on the ground with money and dice in front of them. As the officers approached, most of the gamblers fled.

One person, Aaron Harris, 42, of San Francisco, walked toward the officers. The officers observed that Harris had body armor under his sweatshirt. Harris acknowledged that he was wearing the body armor. As the officers looked closer at Harris, they saw that he had a gun inside the front pocket of his sweatshirt.

The officers attempted to give direction to Harris so that they could take him into custody. Instead, he neglected the commands and began to resist arrest. After a struggle Harris was taken into custody and the loaded gun was recovered.

During the apprehension, an unknown person fired off two rounds in the parking lot of the bar. Additional officers responded and gained control of the situation. The person responsible for firing off the rounds was never located.

Harris was booked into the Martinez Detention Facility for numerous firearm violations, felon in possession of body armor and resisting arrest. He has a lengthy criminal history, which includes a 1989 conviction for possession of crack cocaine for sale in San Mateo County and a 1994 Contra Costa County conviction for assault with a firearm, first degree burglary and possession of a firearm by a felon. He was sentenced to state prison in both of these cases.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact Detective Mortimer with the Antioch Police Department at (925) 779-6941.

The United States Air Force Band of the Golden West’s Jazz Ensemble, “The Commanders” will present a free concert of classic big band jazz music at the El Campanil Theatre. The concert will take place on June 12th at 4:00 pm. For more information, please call 925-757-9500 or visit the theatre’s website: www.elcampaniltheatre.com. The free concert is made possible through a sponsorship by PG&E.

While it is a free concert, tickets are required and may be obtained through the website or by phone. Tickets are currently in short supply and all remaining seats are accessible only via stairs.

Under the musical direction of TSgt Jim Butler, this thrilling 20-piece big band performs for audiences throughout the West Coast. Music ranging from the Big Band sounds of the 1940’s to more contemporary sounds ensures an exciting concert that will rouse audiences of all musical tastes.

The United States Air Force Band of the Golden West is stationed at Travis Air Force Base, California. As the only remaining active duty Air Force band west of the Rockies, its geographic area of responsibility includes Washington, Oregon, Nevada, Idaho and California. The Band of the Golden West has performed for gubernatorial inaugurations, with guest artists such as Toni Tennille, Marvin Stamm, and Bob Hope, and for the fans of the Oakland A’s, San Francisco Giants, Oakland Raiders, and the San Francisco 49ers. The band has been seen and heard by thousands in performances throughout its touring region.