Antioch’s Chief of Police will be conducting another “Coffee with the Cops” event this Saturday, December 1st from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. Consequently we have canceled our Neighborhood Cleanup on that date .

Come join Chief Allan Cantando in a casual setting to discuss public safety issues, crime statistics, etc.  Chief Cantando will be providing a brief presentation on crime statistics.  Open communication about community issues is encouraged.

This “Coffee with the Cops” workshop will be held in the Antioch Police Department Community Room located at 300 L Street.  Members of the Antioch Crime Prevention Commission will be in attendance, and make themselves available to answer questions with a focus on enhancing Neighborhood Watch programs for Antioch residents.  

The “Coffee with the Cops” concept was developed as a pilot program by the Antioch Police Department in an effort to improve communication between the Police Department and the citizens they serve. These meetings will consist of a one-on-one type format with a member of the police command staff and members of the community. The format of these meetings has been designed to be informative.
The Antioch Police Department is dedicated to promoting the quality of life in Antioch in partnership with our community, by proactively reducing crime with integrity and commitment to excellence.

Waypoint Homes Ribbon Cutting –  photo by Allen Payton

New Antioch, CA Center to serve as Regional Hub for Leasing, Services

Antioch Chamber of Commerce members joined Waypoint Homes Co-Founder and Managing Director Doug Brien on Monday, November 19, 2012 for a gala ribbon cutting to celebrate the official opening of Waypoint’s first regional Resident Services Center in Antioch. The Antioch center is the first in a series of regional centers the company plans to open to bring its leasing, property management and maintenance services closer to the communities it serves.

Brien said, “Some of the first homes we purchased were in Antioch – since those early days, we’ve invested more than $100 million in Contra Costa County, purchasing homes and renovating them to a high standard. We’re proud that the capital we’ve invested is helping to stabilize neighborhoods and housing prices, and grateful to Antioch for welcoming us. This is the perfect location for our first resident services center.”

In addition to Chamber of Commerce members, Brien was joined by Councilwoman and Mayor Pro Tem-elect Mary Rocha, who welcomed Waypoint to Antioch, City Manager Jim Jakel, Antioch School Board  President Diane Gibson-Gray, and Lisa Sherrill from the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano, among others. The company is running a promotion throughout November and December to support food banks in all the communities where it does business.

Waypoint Homes works with local realtors and contractors in the regions where it operates to purchase, renovate, and rent single-family homes. Residents can take advantage of the company’s trademarked Lease Plus Rewards® program, qualifying by completing a personalized Financial Fitness consultation and earning points during their lease term for paying their rent on time, maintaining their home, and completing additional financial education seminars. At the end of the lease term, they can convert their “Waypoints” toward the purchase of any home in any market where Waypoint does business, exchange the value in cash or choose from a variety of different upgrades to their home provided they are current on their rent.

For more information visit www.waypointhomes.com.

An entry from a previous year’s Antioch Holiday Lighted Boat Parade, courtesy of the Sportsmen Yacht Club.

The Antioch Holiday Lighted Boat Parade will take place this Saturday, December 1, 2012 at 5:30 PM (weather permitting). The event is sponsored by Driftwood, Sportsmen, Bridge Marina and Dos Rios Yacht Clubs and the Ebony Boat Club. The parade begins at 5:30 PM and the best locations to view are the Riverview Lodge restaurant bar, Humphrey’s on the Delta, the Antioch Municipal Pier and all along the promenade between G Street and the Marina Boat Launch in Antioch’s historic downtown Rivertown. The boat parade is free and will have approximately 15 entries. 

For more information, please contact Georgine Shunk, (925) 757-2226.

Happy Thanksgiving, AntiochHerald.com readers!

Here’s an article posted, last year about this important, national holiday.

http://antiochherald.com/2011/11/where-did-thanksgiving-come-from-and-why-do-we-celebrate-it/

Enjoy!

Allen Payton, Publisher

Men are invited to join together in prayer for Antioch, this Saturday, November 24^th at 7:30 a.m. The men will meet at 7:15 a.m. at Antioch City Park, 10th and A Streets. Prayer will start promptly at 7:30.

For more information contact Mike Pollard at foreveryoungmike@yahoo.com.

As part of this construction work on Highway 4 (SR-4), the contractor will be demolishing the inactive eastbound SR-4 bridge at Somersville Road. In order to ensure crew and public safety during this work, the contractor will close all lanes of Somersville Road/Auto Center Drive in the northbound and southbound directions between the westbound SR-4 on-ramp and the eastbound SR-4 on-ramp overnight during the next several weeks. The closure will take place Sunday through Thursday evenings 10:00 pm to 5:00 am and Friday evenings 10:00 pm to 6:00 am, beginning Sunday, November 18, however, no closures will occur between Thursday, November 22 and Sunday, November 25 due to the Thanksgiving holiday.

The detour for this work will be as follows:

o Northbound motorists will be directed left on Delta Fair Boulevard, right on Century Boulevard, straight to Auto Center Drive. For detour map, please see attachment.

o Southbound motorists will be directed right on Century Boulevard, left on Delta Fair Boulevard, straight to Somersville Road. For detour map, please see attachment.

Motorists are advised to expect delays and allow extra time for their commute. Please drive with caution through the detours and leave a safe traveling distance between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead of you. Caltrans and CCTA appreciate your patience as we work to improve the highways. For the most current information on all SR-4 corridor closures please visit our web site at: http://widensr4.org.

Editor:

The wizened tell us that it takes the experience of contrasting extremes to heighten appreciation. Having now just tasted the bitter fruits of a handy drubbing (2,500 votes) for Antioch City Council, the nectar of two past rousing victories (5,000 and 5,500 pluralities) for School Board are better savored.

Though many thought I was a good bet, my mother-in-law called me ‘daring’ in taking on former mayors and two ladies. Others were less charitable in their odds-making, saying Don Quixote had better prospects fighting windmills.

Though politics is about as predictable as the stock market and the proverbial monkeys throwing darts at buying options, I did learn that fair name recognition were a long-shot match against larger war chests, partisan, organized backing and a not so great random ballot position.

No regrets, no bitterness.  I am who I am, an independently spirited, grassroots sort of guy.  I thank the City residents for the opportunity of eight wonderful years serving you. I am proud of what the School District has accomplished. We banner five career academies, an eleven point dip in drop out rates, a 40 point API increase, fiscal solvency and Antioch High modernization Bond passage.

I am not about to turn my back on Antioch and head for a porch rocker. I’ll continue fighting the good fight, alongside my better half, running the Antioch Music Foundation, serving as Antioch’s Representative to the County Library Commission, running the www.volunteer4antioch website and spearheading the annual International Day of Peace Celebration. Hopefully, I can also add constructive citizen input on the nagging city issues of crime, blight and economic vitality.

Congratulations to the incoming Mayor, Wade Harper, and to the Council winners, Mary Rocha and Monica Wilson. You unquestionably care for Antioch and are to be commended for running civil, clean and vigorous campaigns.

Your  success is the success now of Antioch.  We all ride on your shoulders.Your next big steps will be a fair, enlightened appointment for Mr. Harper’s vacancy and judiciously selecting a new City Manager.

My prayer is that you rule with a tough spine, incorruptible integrity, open heart, unbridled enthusiasm and enlightened, Solomon-like wisdom. Antioch needs inspired leadership.

Walter Ruehlig, Antioch

Exclusively for online subscribers and readers, as well as Facebook followers of the Antioch Herald

This weekend’s Fall Faire at the Contra Costa County Fairgrounds will feature arts, crafts and gourmet food, and the Antioch Herald is offering passes to the first six readers to contact us via email at info@antiochherald.com.

This year, reduced admission price is being offered, a discount is provided to those who take the bus, and free parking is provided. The Fall Faire begins Saturday, November 17, and runs through Sunday, November 18. The hours are 10 am – 5 pm on Saturday, and 10 am – 3 pm on Sunday. Admission is $3 for adults, and children 12 and under are free. Parking is free. If you ride the bus to the event, you will receive $1 off admission.

The Contra Costa County Fairgrounds is located at 1201 West 10th Street in Antioch. For more information, visit the Fairgrounds website at www.ContraCostaFair.com or call the Fairgrounds Office at (925) 757-4400.

The Antioch Herald – the News Of, By and For the People of Antioch – your ticket to events, great offers as well as news, stories and information about Antioch, California.

Pick up a copy of this month’s print edition at any one of the following locations: Dollar City, Celia’s Mexican Restaurant, Mike’s Pastry Shop, Pinky’s Klassy Kar Wash, Schooner’s Grille & Brewery, New Beer Garden, Antioch Chamber of Commerce, Paradise Skate, Loard’s Ice Cream and Postal Annex.