The play structure at Antioch City Park at A and 10th Streets was severely damaged by fire, recently.

Mayor Jim Davis Pledges $250 Asks Others to Match to Catch Vandals

“We will not put up with this type of behavior,” Davis said in a post on his personal Facebook page. “They need to be caught and prosecuted. More info where to contribute coming soon!”

Contact the mayor at jd4antioch@aol.com or (925) 890-4503.

Dozier-Libbey Medical High School Interact Club says “I Love Interact!” at their first meeting this school year on September 4, 2012 – photo by Ariel Parra

By Erin McDaid

Be the change you want to see in the world. Though the man who said this may have been old, grey and wrinkled, his words were immortalized the moment they left his lips. Gandhi’s message has been an inspiration to people all over the world, including those here in Antioch.

Dozier Libbey Medical High School (DLMHS) is very proud of their very active Interact Club. Interact stands for international action. It is the high school level of Rotary International, a well known and distinguished service organization of highly generous members.

Starting with just over five members two years ago, the DLMHS Interact Club now holds over 30 active members, and had over 95 sign-ups at this fall’s registration. Our Interact Club has served the city of Antioch by participating in monthly neighborhood cleanups, lending help at local schools, participating in Relay For Life and much more. On an international level our club has sent cards and supplies to our brave soldiers overseas during Christmas, and raised money for Little Flock Orphanage in India. If you are ever in need of a great group of dedicated volunteers feel free to contact us at anytime!

The Antioch Rotary Club has been greatly supportive of the DLMHS Interact Club, especially with the help of President- Elect and Interact Advisor, Lillian Razavi. We are currently working with Superintendent Dr. Gill to revive the Interact Club of Antioch High School and start one at Deer Valley High School. Interact is more than just a community service club. It is a second family, a place where students can come together and experience the joy of bringing service to others. If you are interested in starting an interact club at your school please contact me at erin_mcdaid@comcast.net.

Everyone has something to offer, and no contribution is too small. Dr. Suess once said, “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better, it’s really not.”

You are somebody, and you can make a difference in the world. Whether that’s performing a random act of kindness, or donating a million dollars towards finding the cure for cancer, you matter, you make a difference, and you, can be the change!

McDaid is President of the Dozier-Libbey Medical High School Interact Club

Chief Allan Cantando speaks at Antioch’s 2012 9-11 memorial ceremony in downtown Antioch.

By Allen Payton, Publisher

About 100 Antioch residents and local officials gathered on Tuesday, September 11, 2012 to remember those who lost their lives during the attacks 11 years ago, and honor both current and former military veterans.

Organized by East County Veterans, led by Josie Monaghan, the event included speeches by Mayor Jim Davis, Police Chief Allan Cantando and Maurice Delmer, District Director for Assemblywoman Susan Bonilla, a combat veteran himself, music by Jessica Caylyn, a 21-gun salute and taps by the Marine Corps League Honor Guard, and a dove release by the local 4H club.

Jessica Caylyn sings National Anthem at Antioch’s 2012 9-11 memorial ceremony.

Boy Scouts place the American flag at Antioch’s 2012 9-11 memorial ceremony.

Mayor Jim Davis speaks at Antioch’s 2012 9-11 memorial ceremony.

Councilmembers, other officials and residents listen to Mayor Davis speak at Antioch’s 2012 9-11 memorial ceremony.

Military veterans in attendance at Antioch’s 2012 9-11 memorial ceremony are honored by event organizer Josie Monaghan 1

Military veterans in attendance at Antioch’s 2012 9-11 memorial ceremony are honored 2

A 21-gun salute was provided by he Honor Guard of the Marine Corps League #1155 of Delta Diablo Brentwood at Antioch’s 2012 9-11 memorial ceremony.

Len Bregman of the Marine Corps Honor Guard plays Taps at Antioch’s 2012 9-11 memorial ceremony.

A dove release provided by 4-H Club members ended Antioch’s 2012 9-11 memorial ceremony.

Jessica Caylyn and her band performed patriotic songs following the ceremony.

By Scott Bergerhouse

We are pleased to hold the Twentieth Charity Roundup at Roddy Ranch, set for Saturday, September 29th and will benefit the Delta Advocacy Foundation and its effort to support East County charities.

This year’s Charity Roundup will again feature a first-class barbecue dinner. The event will include live and silent auctions and the California Cowboys have agreed to return with dancing until midnight.

Since our last event, we invested $27,290 back into our community. The money went to high school scholarships, Antioch Ministerial Food Closet, Brentwood Community Chest, St. Anthony’s, Grannies Anonymous and the Salvation Army. We also contributed to the fund for an Oakley girl who needed a lung transplant. Since our inception in 1989, we have given over $296,456 to the East County community. It is always a great pleasure to be able to help so many, with none of the red tape that characterizes so many other organizations. Delta Advocacy is also unique in that our budget expenses are limited to purchasing postage, office supplies, and organizing our fund-raiser. We like simplicity.

On behalf of Delta Advocacy Foundation, I would like to ask you to consider making a donation of merchandise for our live and silent auctions. We will recognize your contribution during the event and in our published thank you. We also have table sponsorships at $550.00 which will provide a table for 10 people to enjoy this event. Please see our letterhead for 2010’s recognized organizations.

Thank you for your support of Delta Advocacy Foundation. Please feel free to contact us at delta_advocacy@comcast.net if you have any questions regarding this worthwhile event. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Delta Advocacy Foundation is a 501c3 non-profit. Tax ID: 68-0198799

Bergerhouse is President of the Delta Advocacy Foundation

The Interfaith Council of Contra Costa County (ICCCC) proudly announced the appointment of Rev. Will McGarvey as their interim Executive Director. This position was left vacant when the prior Executive Director, Rev. Brian Stein-Webber, left the council to take a position with Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary after serving the council for nearly 12 years. The appointment of Rev. McGarvey was effective September 1, 2012. In this role, Rev. McGarvey will be responsible for overseeing the overall functions of the council and will play a leading role in furthering its objectives.

“The work of the Interfaith Council is so important here in Contra Costa County. Our work supporting Winter Nights Shelter, the Chaplaincy in the Juvenile Detention Facility, and our Social Justice Alliance provide an opportunity for people of faith to work together to make our county a better place.  I’m happy to be able to help the Executive Committee focus on our mission, and organize our committees to help the member congregations work toward greater understanding among our faith groups. This is among the most important piece of work during this time of increasing religiously motivated violence,” said Rev. McGarvey after accepting the appointment.

“We are so thrilled to have Rev. Will McGarvey back in a leadership role. The Executive Committee of the council was unanimous in its decision to appoint him to this position. Will is greatly respected in interfaith circles, and his prior experience and working knowledge of the council will be extremely valuable when he rolls up his sleeves to go to work. We are looking forward to working with him to promote interfaith harmony and understanding, and to make a difference in each of our communities,” said Rev. Alexis Easton, President of ICCCC, on behalf of its Executive Committee and member organizations.

About Rev. McGarvey: Rev. Will McGarvey has served as pastor at Community Presbyterian Church of Pittsburg, CA, a PC (USA)-UCC congregation, for the last eight years.  CPC shares ministry with their sister congregation, First Congregational Church of Antioch (UCC).  Will grew up in the LDS tradition and served a two-year mission in New England before finding a new spiritual path within Progressive Protestantism.  He has long been active in interfaith circles, including the early meetings that organized interfaith chaplains for the 2012 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City.  Will did his seminary studies at San Francisco Theological Seminary, where he specialized in theology of the environment.  Rev. McGarvey served on the Executive Committee of the ICCCC from 2004 to 2010, acting as Vice President for many of those years.  He has also been a part of East County United, an association of the Council that does programming and events in East County. He may be reached at eye4cee@gmail.com or by calling 925.597.9797.

About Interfaith Council of Contra Costa County: ICCCC is a non-profit, 501 c (3) organization solely governed by its Executive Committee. Its mission states, “We as people from a diversity of religions, spiritual traditions and sectors of society, gather to manifest our unity as we promote the spirit of community, service and cooperation through the work of the Interfaith Council.”

The Interfaith Council, as the Council of Churches, was originally organized for the primary purpose of providing chaplaincy ministries in various county institutions on behalf of local congregations. The Council became interfaith in 1997, widening its membership to include congregations and faith organizations that represent the growing pluralistic population of Contra Costa County. The council remains committed to supporting the religious and communities in our county. Program areas have expanded to include Health and Faith in Action, Social Justice, Finance, Spirituality, Youth and Education.

There are more than 100 congregations and organizations holding membership and affiliation from a wide range of Christian and other faith traditions, including Jewish, Buddhist, Baha’i, Unitarian, Islamic, Hindu, Sikh, Unity and Religious Science.

Join the Antioch Chamber for their Brown Bag Lunch – Mastermind Edition on Thursday, September 20, 2012.
This will be our fifth marketing and advertising Mastermind this year so if you missed it last time, this is an opportunity to attend.
This Brown Bag Lunch will feature a marketing and advertising roundtable and mastermind where you can listen to Antioch business owners share successful marketing ideas and you can present your marketing ideas for some helpful feedback.
Bring your lunch, plenty of business cards, network, meet other attendees and get some great ideas on growing your business effectively.
DETAILS
Brown Bag Lunch – Mastermind Edition
Date: Thursday, September 20, 2012
Time:  12:15pm – 1pm
Location: Antioch Chamber Offices
101 H Street, Unit #4, Antioch
See you there!
Antioch Chamber of Commerce
www.antiochchamber.com

Father Tom Bonacci, founder, and Walter Ruehlig, Advisory Board Member of the Interfaith Peace Project with the Peace Pole in front of Antioch City Hall, September, 2011.

On Friday, September 21st, the official U.N. International Day of Peace, a cedar, six-sided peace pole inscribed in twelve languages with the words, “May Peace Prevail on Earth:, will be dedicated in the courtyard of East County Shared Ministry Community Presbyterian of Pittsburg and First Congregational Church. After the dedication a Peace Concert follows in the historic  Stoneman Chapel with music from multiple congregations including ensembles, bands, anthems and sing-alongs.

At 7 p.m. on September 22nd at the Seventh-Day Adventist Sanctuary at 2200 Country Hills Drive another peace pole will be dedicated followed by a free Youth Interfaith Peace Festival.

Enjoy performances by the Sufism-Reoriented inspired Meher School Children’s Chorus out of Walnut Creek;  Sikh representatives, Jaspreet Rasia and ensemble, playing Indian classical music; the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-day Saints youth choir from Antioch, Brentwood, Oakley and Pittsburg; the We Mime from Grace Bible Fellowship of Antioch; the  four East County Idol trophy winners, Idara Akpakpa, Andie Paredes, Raina Viscarra and Nicholas Crossen; the Antioch Seventh-Day Adventist Church/Hilltop Christian School Treble Choir and Hand Bell Ringers; and the Divine Voices from Deer Valley High.

For more information call Walter Ruehlig at (925) 756-7628 or e-mail walter.ruehlig@gmail.com.