Car wash to benefit animals in need at Pinky’s in Antioch this Wednesday

Antioch Animal Services is proud to partner with K-9 Paw Print Rescue and Pinky’s Klassy Kar Wash for a car wash fundraiser which will benefit Antioch animals in need on Wednesday, October 24th.

Located at 300 East 18th Street in Antioch, the fundraiser will run from 8:00am until 6:00pm. Monies raised will directly support the Antioch Animal Shelter who has seen a rise in the number of owner-surrender, abandoned and abused pets who need assistance. Many of these animals require medical treatment or rehabilitation before they are able to be adopted into new homes.

Antioch Animal Services is dedicated to promoting animal welfare and public awareness which results in humans and animals living together in harmony. K-9 Paw Print Rescue is a non-profit animal rescue group who supports Contra Costa animal shelters with fostering at risk dogs and cats, as well as increases public awareness of the importance of spay and neutering to help reduce pet populations in our East County communities.

Please mention Antioch Animal Services or K9 Paw Print when ordering your car wash.

Somersville Towne Center is helping National Geographic Kids Magazine set the Guinness World Record of the most people to run 100 meters in 24 hours.

Children of all ages and families are invited and encouraged to join in the fun.  Participants will receive free gifts from Somersville Towne Center and National Geographic Kids Magazine after the event.

Registrations – Now thru October 26, 2012, During Mall Hours

 100 Meter Run or Walk Event – October 27, 2012, 10am-120m

Somersville Towne Center, 2556 Somersville Road, Parking Lot near Starbucks. For more information visit www.SomersvilleTowneCenter.com

In our continued support of Senior Citizens in our community, The Commons at Dallas Ranch and Travis Credit Union are inviting seniors to join them at The Antioch Senior Citizens Center on Wednesday, October 24, 2012 at 10:00 am to raise awareness of fraud targeting seniors in the community.

Senior citizens are among the most vulnerable to fraud and financial abuse. Consumers over the age of 65 control 70 percent of the nation’s wealth, and crooks know it. In fact, each year con artists scam older Americans out of $2.5 billion.

It is imperative to raise awareness of fraud targeting older consumers and provide seniors in Contra Costa County the information they need to protect their finances from the threat of financial abuse.

Jennifer Victor from Travis Credit Union will speak on common scams that are used to target seniors and steps that can be taken to protect seniors and their finances.

The Antioch Senior Citizens Center is located at 415 West 2^nd Street in Antioch. Seating is limited. To RSVP, please contact Dina Osakue at (925) 754-7772 or dosakue@commonsatdallasranch.com.

The League of Women Voters of Diablo Valley is sponsoring and moderating a candidate forum  between the candidates for California’s 7^th Congressional District, Virginia Fuller and incumbent Congressman George Miller in their only face-to-face meeting. Candidates will respond to written questions from the audience. The 7^th district includes about 30% of Antioch, and covers the northwest part of the city.

The forum is free band will run from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. The event is co-sponsored by the Social Justice Council of the Mt. Diablo Unitarian Universalist Church and will be held at the church in Bortin Hall, which is located at 55 Eckley Lane in Walnut Creek. All are welcome, but no campaign materials are allowed inside Bortin Hall.

Virginia Fuller, a Republican, is a registered nurse, and is endorsed by the Contra Costa Republican Party and  the Contra Costa Tea Party.  She supports a flat tax for all; opposes illegal immigration policies, including “Sanctuary Cities”; supports stiff penalties to businesses that hire illegal aliens; supports repeal of “Obamacare”; supports charter schools and school vouchers, and believes that the defense of our nation is the primary responsibility of the Federal government. For more information visit www.fullerforcongress.org.

George Miller, a Democrat, has represented Contra Costa County and the East Bay of San Francisco since 1975.  Rep. Miller has worked throughout his congressional career on behalf of children and the middle class. His priorities have included providing safe, affordable health care for all people, ensuring every child has access to a quality education, standing up against discrimination, and creating jobs and enhancing economic security for middle class Americans. He is also an advocate and leader for fish and wildlife protection and conservation, ensuring responsible stewardship of our lands and waters, and developing clean energy technologies. For more information visit www.georgemillerforcongress.com.

By Lieutenant Diane Aguinaga, Antioch Police Investigations Bureau

On Saturday, October 20, 2012 at 12:44 p.m., the Antioch Police Department responded to a suspicious circumstance in the 2200 block of Manzanita Way. Officers arrived and located the body of a 26 year old male who is the victim of a homicide. The victim is an Antioch resident.

His name is not being released pending notification of family members. Detectives have been called out and are investigating. This information is preliminary as the police are in the beginning stages of their investigation.

You may text a tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using key word ANTIOCH. These tips will remain anonymous.

The Los Medanos College Debate Team will be presenting an informational debate about Proposition 30. The debate will take place on Wednesday, October 24 from 6:30-8:00 p.m at the Pittsburg City Council Chambers, 65 Civic Avenue in Pittsburg. Admission and Parking is free.

The award-winning debate team will present both sides of the argument as they focus on “Should we raise taxes to fund education?” The informational event will raise the best arguments on both sides so attendees can make up their own minds about this important ballot initiative. Light refreshments will be served following the debate.

The event is co-sponsored by the LMC Debate team and the LMC Honors Program. For more information, visit www.losmedanos.edu/honors/events.

Los Medanos College (LMC) is one of three colleges in the Contra Costa Community College District. LMC prepares students to excel and succeed economically, socially and intellectually in an innovative, engaging and supportive learning environment. It provides quality programs and state-of-the-art facilities to serve the needs of a rapidly growing and changing East County while enhancing the quality of life of the diverse communities it serves. LMC is located on 120 acres between Pittsburg and Antioch, with an additional education center in Brentwood.

STOCKTON, CA, October 18, 2012 – Leading political analyst Stuart Rothenberg concludes today in Roll Call, the Washington, D.C.-based newspaper that covers Congress and elections, that Congressional candidate Ricky Gill (R-Lodi) is poised to upset three-term incumbent Jerry McNerney (D-Pleasanton).

“[I]nsiders on both sides of the aisle agree that Gill has become a serious threat to McNerney,” Rothenberg writes in an article titled “Looking for House Upsets? Take a Look at These.”

Listing California’s 9th District as the top prospect for an upset, Rothenberg notes that, while numbers indicate the race is competitive, Gill’s opponents are nonetheless “scratching their heads in disbelief over the development.” 

A recent poll found that Gill was leading McNerney by a margin of one point with nine percent of voters undecided.

Stockton, Calif. – Today, Congressman Jerry McNerney (D-Stockton) held a press conference highlighting the endorsements of prominent veterans in California.  Earlier this year, Congressman McNerney was named Legislator of the Year by the California Association of County Veterans Service Officers (CACVSO), receiving the Motomu Nakasako Legislator of the Year Award.

“I am proud and honored to receive the endorsements of so many of our veterans.  Standing up for our veterans and providing them with the services and benefits they have earned is a responsibility I take very personally.  These men and women have sacrificed so much to protect our way of life and they deserve to have people in office who will fight for them,” said Congressman McNerney.

Congressman McNerney has received the endorsements of the following veterans:

“Congressman Jerry McNerney has been a tremendously consistent, proactive and responsive advocate for veterans, our Wounded Warriors, our men and women serving in our Armed Forces (Active, Guard and Reserve), and their families.  Whether helping veterans in need of assistance with their VA benefits, supporting Dignity Alcove’s application to be a VA-approved outreach program for homeless veterans, locating the future VA hospital in the Valley, crafting and supporting veterans and military service legislation, or serving as a member of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, Congressman McNerney has been a difference maker – someone who makes things happen – and a leader who cares more about others than self.” – Roger Brautigan, Ret. General, Former Secretary, California Department of Veterans Affairs

“Congressman McNerney has been a friend of Veterans for many years & I will continue to support him. As you well know I have advocated for Veterans issues for the past 16 years & received his support for the new VA Regional Clinic in San Jaoquin County. Voting for him is the smart thing to do.” – Tino Adame,  Vietnam Combat Veteran and Stockton Resident

“Congressman McNerney has worked hard for veterans in the community, specifically getting the VA to locate the veterans’ hospital in French Camp.  Veterans in this county know how hard he has worked and should stand up and say so.” – Richard Pittman, Medal of Honor Recipient, Vietnam Veteran

“There is no stronger supporter of our veterans than Congressman Jerry McNerney.” – Dave Norris, Past State Commander, California Veterans of Foreign Wars

“As a Vietnam veteran, I fully support Congressman McNerney for his track record of action for the benefit our veterans.  As a person involved in education I support him for his proven leadership and sincere dedication to making a difference in people’s lives, particularly our youth”.  – Ralph Womack, Trustee, Lodi Unified School District

“Approximately eight years ago I tried to get help and ran into brick walls and deaf people, submitting the same documents as many as four times. It wasn’t until Congressman McNerney’s office got involved, that I began to see results. His staff got more done in three days than I could in eight years. Thank you Congressman McNerney for supporting our troops and veterans.” – Republican Paul Cashion, Vietnam Veteran

This adds to a growing list of local public figures and elected officials who have endorsed Congressman Jerry McNerney.

The new 9^th district is significantly Democratic, with a voter registration that is D+11.  The new 9^th includes the majority of San Joaquin County and portions of Contra Costa County, including most of Antioch.

Congressman Jerry McNerney (D-Stockton) has served the area for nearly six years. He is the Chair of the Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. He authored the bill to help veterans suffering from traumatic brain injuries. For more information visit www.JerryMcNerney.com.