Archive for September, 2011

Robots Take Center Stage at Boy Scouts AdvanceCamp

Friday, September 30th, 2011

From left, Conner, AJ, Aaron, Cole and Cooper work on a robot at AdvanceCamp.


By Tami Barrera

The Boy Scouts are no longer just about camping and learning to start fires from kindling. They’ve now gone high-tech. The focus was on robots and electricity at AdvanceCamp 2011, which was held at the Antioch Fairgrounds last weekend.

The camp allows Boy Scouts to earn merit badges quickly as they work toward becoming Eagle Scouts. The camp’s merit badge categories include Family Life, Citizenship in Community, Nation and World, Personal Fitness, and Personal Management. The camp also provided projects focusing on electricity, robotics, sculpture, computers, geo-caching and much more.

Robotics was added to AdvanceCamp this year in response to concerns that American students are falling behind in science, technology, engineering and math. The boys learned to work as a team to construct and program a Mind Storm Lego Kits robot.

Cooper, 11 of Brentwood’s Troop 21, signed up for the robot badge, he said, in order to build stuff and knows that in the future it will be very important. It also lets him hang out with his friends doing something fun. Cooper added that robots are great for medicine, allowing faster, more precise surgeries and quicker recoveries for patients.

Cole, 11, who is in the same troop, said he thought that Boy Scouts was only related to camping, and was a little nervous to be doing the robotics badge with the fear that he would not understand the programming. But as he we doing it he became more confident that he can figure it out. He said he’s glad that Boy Scouts is all futuristic now.

AJ, of Troop 21 said he has always enjoyed robots, and was excited when his brother showed him how to rewire things and make a light switch turn things off and on. That knowledge has helped him find out more about robots.

Conner, 15, with Pleasanton’s Troop 911, said that he and his brother had bought a kit in the past and it had many features that give the robot limited ability to operate independent of the programmer/creator, depending on how it’s programmed. It includes sensors for touch, light and sound.

Don Ryan, who led the teaching of the robotics merit badge, demonstrated what each sensor does and said that the key to having a high-functioning robot is to focus on the programming. According to Conner, robots will be a great part of transportation in the future and because they are so precise they will be the ones building the buildings in the future, and they will be used for innovative healthcare and they will be prevalent in hospitals.

The electricity elective was taught by Mr. Jim Patchen, who pointed out that it can hurt you, but also benefit you. He had the Scouts wear gloves and feel the surge of electricity as they held a metal rod iron. They were mesmerized by its great power.

These are just a few of the goings on at the Advance Camp 2011. For more information call Steve Hoagland at 925-595-9156.

This year’s camp was held in memory of Board Member/Staff Director/Vice President Richard Ball, who died in July at 62. Donations can be sent to the Richard Ball Memorial Fund 640 Bailey Road #142, Bay Point, CA 94565. AdvanceCamp, Inc. is a 501 (c) 3 charitable institution run by registered volunteer Scout leaders who serve without compensation. All donations go toward the program.

Evan Benson gets a charge out of earning his Electricity Merit badge.

Yard Sale

Friday, September 30th, 2011

Location: 301 West 10th Street, Antioch CA 94509
Date: 10/8/2011
Description: Our yard sale benefits Bread of Life community kitchen and food pantry fighting hunger in east county for over 25 years.
We’ll have furniture, housewares, clothing, and collectibles. Sale hours are 8am-4pm. Come to the parking lot of the Rivertown Resource building on the corner of West 10th & “D” Streets. For more information or how to donate contact Sonya (925) 778-1639. See you there!!!!

Assault With Deadly Weapon, Attempted Kidnapping/Carjacking

Friday, September 30th, 2011

David Karcher

On September 29 3:35 p.m., Antioch police responded to a reported carjacking that had just occurred in the Walmart parking lot on Lone Tree Way.

Officers contacted a 19-year-old Antioch female who reported that just as she pulled into a parking stall in front of Walmart a man, later identified as David Karcher, 58, of Antioch, entered her vehicle through the front passenger door. Karcher had a knife and assaulted the victim with the knife while making threatening statements.

The victim received a minor injury as a result of the attack, but no medical attention was necessary. Karcher attempted to hold the victim in the vehicle in an attempt to kidnap her. After a brief struggle, the victim was able to break free and run away from the vehicle. Karcher then jumped into the driver’s seat and fled the area in the victim’s vehicle.

As it turned out the victim’s vehicle was equipped with a GPS tracking device. The victim’s father was contacted who was able to track the vehicle through a computer and provide real time updates to Antioch Dispatch. This information was relayed to officers where, with the assistance of Brentwood PD, they were able to locate the vehicle within about 15 minutes of the incident.

The suspect was stopped in the victim’s vehicle in the area of the Highway 4 Bypass and Sand Creek Road in Brentwood. Karcher was taken into custody by Antioch and Brentwood police officers without incident. Karcher was found to have an extensive criminal history and several outstanding felony warrants for his arrest. He is currently in custody at the Martinez Detention Facility.

Minor Weekend Delays On Bay Point BART Through November

Friday, September 30th, 2011

From BART:
During all weekends of October and November 2011, there may be some minor delays on the Pittsburg/Bay Point line due to track maintenance work, work in the Berkeley Hills Tunnel and construction/testing work at the Contra Costa County Crossover Project.

Our best estimate is that passengers travelling Northbound on the Pittsburg/Bay Point line will experience a 15-20 minute delay during the hours work is being performed. Passengers travelling Southbound may experience a 5 minute delay due to single-tracking. Work on these projects will be coordinated to minimize delays. We recommend that you adjust your travel plans accordingly to take into account these delays. Thank you for your patience during this important maintenance work. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Fundraiser Raffle and Give Back for Baby Matthew

Friday, September 30th, 2011

Fundraiser Raffle and Give Back for Baby Matthew (Local 7 month old boy in kidney failure). Over 80 prizes with a total value of over $4000. UNO CHICAGO (Lone Tree Way Antioch) OCTOBER 11TH RAFFLE STARTS AT 6:30. Uno will donate up to 20% of your check ALL DAY dine in or take out!

Visit his web page at www.babymathewraffle.webs.com or contact Jennifer at jrowe0125@yahoo.com or (925) 207-0062. Get Information on Details of his condition, About the family, Information about raffle, Full list of donated prizes, Pictures of prizes, Date, time and location

Prizes include: Gift certificates to various restaurants Red Lobster, Olive Garden, Uno Chicago, Chipotle, and many more! Passes and packages for family entertainment Pump It Up, Delta Bowl, Paradise Skate, The Exploratorium, The Jungle & more! Music DVD’s of various genre Blues, Michael Jackson, Pop, Rock, Soft Rock, Beatles and more! Cosmetics from Mary Kay/ Avon Complimentary facials/ gift baskets. Spa Services Massage, gift surprise, gift certificates and more.

Important Issues Facing Antioch

Monday, September 26th, 2011

On October 25th, the Antioch City Council will hold a public hearing in regard to several important matters.

First, consideration is to change the city’s priority for infrastructure – streets and sidewalks – from medium to high priority in the 2010-2015 Contra Costa Consortium Consolidated Plan, a document submitted to HUD that details needs and priorities for funding with federal funds.

The City will also consider amending the 2011-1012 Action Plan to include funding code enforcement in lower income areas with Community Dedevelopment Block Grant (CDBG) funding.

Note: The State of California provides annual funding to local law enforcement agencies to supplement law enforcement services. Monies are received by counties and disseminated to local jurisdictions. For the 2011/2012 allocation Antioch will receive an estimated $100,000 that will fund a percentage of one community Police Officer position.

Additionally, Council will make recommendations on 1) finalizing priority needs for funding in fiscal year 2012-2014 and 2) acceptance of the fiscal year 2010-2011 consolidated annual performance and evaluation report (CAPER) detailing the use of community block grant and Antioch Development Agency funds. Note these items were moved from a proposed public hearing on September 27 to the above date.

The primary purpose of the CDBG program is to develop viable urban communities by providing decent housing and a suitable living environment and expanding economic opportunities principally for persons of lower income. Funds are not given to individuals directly. The money funds nonprofit and public agencies to provide services and improvements.

It behooves Council to be wary of the agencies they grant money to. Just this week we learned about a elderly Pittsburg resident who unknowingly signed away control of her money and medical decisions to a caretaker referred to her by a small Antioch-based nonprofit called A-Maze-Ing.

Organ Concert Series Kicks Off

Sunday, September 25th, 2011

St. Ignatius of Antioch Concert Series kicks off its new season on October 15th at 7:30 p.m. at 3351 Contra Loma Blvd.

Don Pearson the Director of Music, Organist and Artist in Residence, plays a concert in celebration of the second anniversary at the church of the Rodgers Trillium Masterpiece Pipe/Digital Organ. A reception follows in the parish hall. All are welcome. A free will offering is accepted. For information call (925) 778-0845.

Pride of the Delta

Friday, September 23rd, 2011