East County Idol 2012 Winners - from left, Nicholas Crossen, Raina Vizcarra, Andie Paredes and Idara Akpakpa with Antioch Music Foundation President Walter Ruehlig. photo by Luns Louis

Raina Vizcarra

Raina Vizcarra  of the Delta Performing Arts Academy in Antioch placed third in this year’s East County Idol competition at the El Campanil Theatre on Friday night, April 21.  She received a $100 cash prize for her performance of “I Will Always Love You” made famous by the late Whitney Houston. Nicholas Crossen, also of Antioch and a student at De La Salle High, placed fourth by performing “Broken Vow” by Josh Groban and received a $50 cash prize.

The first place winner and reigning Idol was Idara Akpakpa from Liberty High School in Brentwood. She was awarded $400 for her rendition of “And I Am Telling You” by Jennifer Hudson. Second place winner of a $200 cash prize was Andie Paredes from Freedom High in Oakley, for her performance of “Here I Am.”

The show was emceed by jazz performer Malcolm Hunter and produced by Linda Thompson and Sharon Vela. Guest performers were 2010 runner-up Ashley Goins and 2008 winner Chanelle Lewis.

At least two professional agents approached the winner after the show. One past East County Idol, Neshia Go, made the

Nicholas Crossen

top 50 of American Idol.

A free performance by the winners will be held at Somersville Towne Center in the rotunda at noon on Saturday, April 28th.

The competition was sponsored by the Antioch Music Foundation through a grant from District 5 Supervisor Federal Glover and Calpine Corporation.

Second Show Added!

The Multi-platinum-selling, Grammy Award winning Christian rock band Third Day will perform in Brentwood at Golden Hills Community Church on Saturday, April 21, 2012 during their Make Your Move Spring Tour.

A second show jas been added at 2 p.m. – Also performing are Matt Maher and Trevor Morgan!

Third Day has played to millions of fans in numerous sold-out arenas around the world. It’s garnered 25 No. 1 singles across multiple formats—not to mention armloads of Grammy and Dove Awards. Yet the band’s willingness to struggle openly before fans and critics alike to unearth its identity, purpose and mission stands as Third Day’s most valued accomplishment during its first decade together. Backing up the band’s ascent, Billboard magazine noted the act is “not only one of the best Christian bands of the ’90s but one of the best rock bands, period.”

Third Day has clearly weathered the difficult climb from obscurity to success, but the band is hardly suffering from over-confidence or complacency. In fact, the band’s eleventh album, Revelation, addresses that very issue head-on. Rather than lean back in a figurative easy chair, Third Day challenged itself immensely, shaking up its direction and reasserting its place as a rock band of enormous depth and passion.

“Our career is like a dream I didn’t even know I had,” drummer David Carr says. “It’s gone beyond anything I could have dreamed of.”

Influenced by the Southern rock of Lynyrd Skynyrd and other artists such as U2 and Rich Mullins, Third Day were originally formed by vocalist Mac Powell and acoustic guitarist Mark Lee. The duo added bassist Tai Anderson and drummer David Carr from another local band, and recorded some demos. Third Day’s live shows gradually built a loyal fan base, and just after lead guitarist Brad Avery joined, the band signed to Gray Dot Records. Their eponymous debut followed in 1996, with Conspiracy No. 5 appearing a year later. In 1999 Third Day returned with Time, and the next year Offerings, a collection of new and live material, came out, followed in 2003 by its companion, Offerings II: All I Have to Give.

That same year, the American Music Awards tapped them with a nomination in the Favorite Contemporary Inspirational Artist category. For their fifth studio album, 2004’s Wire (which was followed shortly after by Live Wire), Third Day returned to their rock & roll roots, a trend they kept up for 2005’s Top Ten hit Wherever You Are, which came out in CD/DVD format the next year. After the release of the holiday album Christmas Offerings in 2006 and the compilation Chronology the following year, the band announced the departure of Avery in February 2008. Despite the loss, Third Day soldiered on, releasing Revelation in July of that year. The album was produced by Howard Benson and featured appearances by Chris Daughtry and Lacey Mosley. Third Day won the American Music Award in 2008.

The church is located at 2401 Shady Willow Lane, Brentwood. See map: Google Maps

For tickets click here. For more information about Third Day, click here. For more information about Golden Hills Community Church visit www.goldenhills.org.

Lawrence Beaman performs Saturday, April 21 at El Campanil Theatre in Antioch.

America’s Got Talent Finalist LAWRENCE BEAMEN

“A Night of Soul”: A Barry White R&B Tribute Concert

SATURDAY, APRIL 21 at 8:00pm

TICKETS: $15 – $27

El Campanil Theatre

602 West Second Street

Antioch, CA 94509

Box Office: 925.757-9500

www.elcampaniltheatre.com

LAWRENCE BEAMEN stepped into the national spotlight as a contestant on Season 4 of the hit TV Series AMERICA’S GOT TALENT, when his powerful rendition of “Ole Man River”brought the studio audience – and all 3 judges – to their feet. Millions of home viewers rushed to their phones each subsequent week to vote him all the way to the ‘Top 5’ Finals. Since then, he has been playing to sold out crowds in Las Vegas and across the country recreating the sounds that inspired judge Piers Morgan to call him “the next Barry White”.

Currently a Bay Area resident, Beamen’s life and musical inspiration began in the churches of rural Mississippi which he carries with him today. From Gospel to Traditional to Contemporary R&B, his voice projects the passion of his humble beginnings and the optimism of better days.

He has worked with noted artists including Patti LaBelle and Andrae Crouch, and has performed around the world for such diverse audiences as President Bill Clinton, NAACP honoring Rosa Parks, at Buckingham Palace, and even at The Vatican for the Pope.

“I want to bring back the depth of Barry White, the soul of Mahalia Jackson, and the honesty and rhythm of Bill Withers,” says Beamen.

His fans know that he does all of that…and more.

The Contra Costa Clean Water Initiative, whose ballot results won’t be known for a few weeks, was basically a deceptive shakedown which not only didn’t present an opposition argument but, due to the requirement that only property owners, rather than registered voters, approve the fee, the process was able to bypass the independent Contra Costa County Elections Department!

Homeowners already pay an annual “Federal Storm water” charge so why the need for this new tax which needs only majority approval to pass? Advocates claimed that the money is needed to address new state and federal clean water mandates and that, without additional funds, local communities could be forced to pay large fines and be subject to third party lawsuits if not in compliance with strict new clean water mandates. If this was a righteous argument who not present an oppositional viewpoint in the numerous mailers sent to property owners?

Frankly, I don’t react well to threats and I voted no on this unjustified tax as did Contra Costa County Supervisor Mary Piepho and the Antioch Unified District school board. Regrettably, after a discussion on the subject by the Antioch City Council on March 27th, it was decided by Council action that that city ballots not be voted, when the vote failed on a 2-2 tie.

Twenty-one of the best youth singers from East Contra Costa County will perform ballads, Broadway, country, folk, gospel, jazz, pop and rock music in hopes of becoming the 2012 East County Idol and win the cash prize of $400 for the first prize winner, $200 for the second prize winner, $100 for the third prize winner.

The competition, which will be held at the El Campanil Theatre on Friday, April 20 at 7:30 p.m., is sponsored by the Antioch Music Foundation through a grant from District V Supervisor Federal Glover and Calpine Corporation.

Contestants are all high school students and will sing the following musical pieces:

Andie Paredes…………………………………………………………………… Here I Am

Angelina Phelan (with piano accompanist Kathleen Flemming)….. Memories

Bianca Panaligan……………………………………………………………… If I Ain’t Got You

Cayson Renshaw …………………………………………………………………New Shoes

Enrique Guzman………………………………………………………………… Drop Baby Drop

Hailey Schneider……………………………………………………………….. Someone Like You

Idara Akpakpa………………………………………………………………….. And I Am Telling You

Jackie Richardson……………………………………………………………… American Honey

Jakeb Leroy Baird………………………………………………………………. Fly Me To The Moon

Katelyn Allen (with guitar accompanist Drake Miller)……………….. Rhythm of Love

Kayla Arroyo…………………………………………………………………….. The Climb

Madeline Durling………………………………………………………………… Blue Bird

Marcus Lance…………………………………………………………………….. Hallelujah

Marissa LaMantia………………………………………………………………… Good Bye My Lover

Morgan Handy……………………………………………………………………. Don’t Know Why

Nicholas Crossen…………………………………………………………………. Broken Vow

Patrick Velasquez………………………………………………………………… I’m Yours

Rachel Wirtz……………………………………………………………………….. At Last

Raina Vizcarra ……………………………………………………………………. I Will Always Love You

Victoria Young……………………………………………………………………. I Am Changing

Zoe Blalock…………………………………………………………………………. Orange Colored Sky

‘This is the Foundation’s fourth East County Idol; and this event continues to fulfill a vital role in our mission to empower the youth and cultivate a vibrant community,” said Cynthia Ruehlig, board member and administrator of the non-profit Antioch Music Foundation. ‘The competition is a practice of life skills and acquaints the participants to challenges they will soon face as adults.  Contestants learn to complete applications, read and follow rules, write a short bio, plan and prepare for their presentation, face an audience to compete confidently and, most importantly, gain self-esteem and maturity to continue the pursuit of their dreams.”

The event is hosted by jazz artist Malcolm Hunter with special guest performances by Chanelle Lewis, 2008 East County Idol winner, and Ashley Goins, 2010 East County Idol runner-up.

The Antioch Music Foundation sponsors the fourth rendition of the East County Idol this Friday, April 20th at 7:30 p.m. at the El Campanil Theatre.

On Monday, April 16th, faith leaders, community members, and struggling homeowners will gather in one of the blocks hardest hit by foreclosures in Antioch to speak out in support of the Homeowners Due Process Bill, authored by Senators DeSaulnier and Pavley.  The bill, SB 1471 would provide additional due process protections to California homeowners.  These protections would include a requirement that all assignments of interests in real estate be recorded with the County recorder, a requirement that all homeowners going through the foreclosure process be given a single point of contact at their lending institution and make a specified statement of legislative intent regarding appropriate remedies under the bill for violations of the bill’s provisions.

“Struggling homeowners have been getting the run-around for far too long.  We have heard about the many challenges that people face in communicating with one person at the bank that will be held accountable for their loan modification application.  It is time to make sure this happens and SB 1471 will do just that, ” said Ken Kelly, a CCISCO leader and Antioch homeowner.

Thousands of homeowners across Contra Costa have experienced the failure of their banks to provide them with professional and consistent service as they have applied for loan modifications and undergone the foreclosure process.  These homeowners have faced, and continue to face, challenges with their banks around issues of robosigning, multiple points of contact giving inconsistent information and the failure of homeowners to be able to determine which entities claim to have an interest in their property.  Consequently, some homeowner’s have needlessly lost their homes and been subjected to processes by the banks that lack integrity.  The Homeowner’s Due Process Bill will ameliorate some of these problems to create the needed permanent reform that Californians need and deserve.

WHO: California Senator Mark DeSaulnier, faith and community leaders from CCISCO, and ACCE 

WHAT: Press Conference in Support of Homeowners Due Process Bill (SB 1471)

WHEN: Monday, April 16th at 10:00am

WHERE: 2401 Brittany Court, Antioch, CA 94509 (directions)

The Contra Costa Interfaith Supporting Community Organization (CCISCO) is a federation of 25 religious congregations, 7 different denominations, representing 35,000 families in Contra Costa County. CCISCO is an active member of the PICO National Network. 

CCISCO is a member of the New Bottom Line Coalition. The New Bottom Line is a national campaign fueled by a coalition of community organizations, congregations, labor unions, and individuals working together to build a movement that challenges established big bank interests on behalf of struggling and middle-class communities. 

 CCISCO, 202 G St., Suite 1 – Mailing: P. O. Box 883, Antioch, CA 94509, P: (925) 779-9302, F: (925) 779-9303,www.ccisco.org

Gary and Robin Agopian surprised upon entering their home on Saturday, April 7, 2012

By Allen Payton, Publisher

Antioch Councilman Gary Agopian and his wife Robin were surprised at their home on Saturday afternoon, April 7, 2012, when they were greeted by dozens of friends and family members gathered to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary. Their actual anniversary is today, April 11.

Their children, Heather, Corey and Jason coordinated the celebration, mostly through Facebook.

Congratulations to Gary and Robin on 25 years of marital bliss!

Gary appears stunned while Robin hugs their daughter Heather.