The Antioch Chamber of Commerce will host a fun way of the candidates and public getting to know each other, called Political Speed Dating, this Thursday October 11^th, from 6 PM-8 PM at Humphrey’s on the Delta.

Members of the public will be broken up into small groups and each group will have the opportunity to sit down with each candidate for five minutes to get to know the candidates and ask their individual questions. After five minutes the groups will rotate giving each group the opportunity to get to know every candidate.

Appetizers will be served in a fun friendly atmosphere with an opportunity for candidates and voters to personalize the engagement.

The event is free to the public.

Humphrey’s is located at 1 Marina Plaza, foot of L Street, Antioch. For reservations following the event, call 778-5800 or visit them online at www.HumphreysontheDelta.com.

For more information contact the Chamber offices at 757-1800 or visit www.AntiochChamber.com.

On November 6th, the voters of Antioch will be asked to fill three open seats on the Antioch School Board. I highly recommend Barbara Cowan as one of those selected for a board seat.

Mrs. Cowan is a newly retired teacher/administrator. Her 39 years of experience in this noble profession has given her the many experiences necessary to bring valuable knowledge to the Antioch School Board. She will be open and honest in her communications and continue a climate of trust and openness. Her understanding of education and willingness to hear new ideas and suggestions on how to continue improving the system will be a benchmark in her contributions.

Barbara Cowan has taught at all levels and has been a principal of middle schools and high schools. She has also been a special education coordinator. Mrs. Cowan is fluent in Spanish and has had many years of experience in predominately Hispanic schools.

Excellence in the classroom begins with excellence in the boardroom. I urge you to vote for Barbara Cowan.

Richard Asadoorian, Antioch

Trustee, Contra Costa County Board of Education

(the views expressed here are mine as a private citizen and do not reflect the opinion of the other board members)

Stockton, Calif. – Congressman Jerry McNerney has received the endorsement of Shabbir Khan, Treasurer-Tax Collector of San Joaquin County, who is a Republican.

Khan

“I couldn’t be more proud to endorse Jerry McNerney in his re-election efforts. He has brought thousands of jobs home right here to San Joaquin County, and more than that, he really cares about the people he represents. He takes the time to listen to everyone he encounters so that he can really get good work done here in San Joaquin County,” said Khan.

When asked why, as a Republican, he would endorse the Democrat in the race over Republican Ricky Gill, Shabbir stated, “I go by individual, not on the party.”

“I have known Jerry McNerney ever since he got elected. In my opinion I think he’s an honest man. He listens. He’s present in his district more than I would say Pombo was in his 14 years. He has done a lot for our veterans,” Kahn added. “I don’t see any problem with Congressman McNerney. He’s an independent thinker. You can talk with him and discuss things with him and I think he’s done a good job as a congressman.”

“It is an honor to have the support of Shabbir Khan. We are both dedicated to tackling the challenges we face here in San Joaquin County, and I will work hard to help the people in San Joaquin. We have a tremendous amount of potential right here in our community and I want to continue to partner with folks here at home to move forward and get our economy growing again,” said McNerney.

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

The new 9^th district, which includes most of Antioch, 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.  The district voted decidedly in favor of President Obama in 2008.

McNerney (D-Stockton) was first elected to Congress in 2006. He is the Ranking Member of the Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, a post he has used to champion veterans’ issues, bringing back a brand new veterans’ medical facility that is creating 900 local jobs.  He authored the bill to help veterans suffering from traumatic brain injuries and has fought tirelessly to create local jobs, prevent American jobs from being sent overseas, and to restore fiscal responsibility to our government while protecting Medicare and Social Security. He’s running for reelection against Republican Ricky Gill of Lodi.

Publisher Allen Payton contributed to this report.

Amber Chiang, Director, NCMPR District 6 and Barbara Cella, Director, Marketing & Media Design for Los Medanos College and the NCMPR District 6 Medallion Awards received by Los Medanos College

Los Medanos College has been recognized with eight Medallion Awards from the National Council for Marketing and Public Relations District 6, which serves two-year colleges in southwestern United States. The NCMPR District 6 Medallion Awards recognize outstanding achievement in communications at community and technical colleges in District 6. It’s the only regional competition of its kind that honors excellence exclusively among marketing and public relations professionals at two-year colleges. The NCMPR District 6 Medallion Awards are awarded in levels of gold, silver, and bronze.

Los Medanos College was recognized for:

·Gold Medallion in the category of Banner or Outdoor Media – “Planning to Transfer?”

·Gold Medallion in the category of Website – “Los Medanos College Official Website”

·Silver Medallion in the category of Poster – “How I Learned to Drive”

·Silver Medallion in the category of Banner or Outdoor Media – “Be a Major Success”

·Silver Medallion in the category of Original Photo – “You Look Great”

·Silver Medallion in the category of Logo Design – “Vision 2020”

·Bronze Medallion in the category of Brochure/Flyer – “Career and Technical Education”

·Bronze Medallion in the category of Original Photo – “Committed and Proud”

The awards were presented Friday, September 28, at the conclusion of the NCMPR District 6 Conference in Santa Barbara, California. Los Medanos College was competing with more than 200 entries received from colleges in NCMPR District 6.

“The Medallion Awards recognize excellence in community college marketing,” said Amber Chiang, director of NCMPR District 6. “Often, community college marketing departments are designed to make other departments on campus look good. This is an opportunity to recognize the contributions of marketing staff and achievement in community college communications.”

District 6 includes community colleges in Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, Utah, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of Palau, Republic of the Marshall Islands and Territory of Guam.

The National Council for Marketing & Public Relations is the only organization of its kind that exclusively represents marketing and public relations professionals at community and technical colleges. As one of the fastest-growing affiliates of the American Association of Community Colleges, NCMPR has more than 1,550 members from more than 650 colleges across the United States, Canada and other countries.

Los Medanos College is located in Pittsburg with an extension in Brentwood. For more information visit www.losmedanos.edu.

Is your house underwater? Are you in pre-foreclosure? Do you have a NOD or notice of default filed? Is the notice that came form the bank an actual notice of default or just a warning? These are some of the many questions that you may have. If you are felling overwhelmed ask for help. Open those notices ignoring them will not make them go away. Call the help lines that come with your notices, they can help. Call us it’s what we are here for we can help.

What kind of modification can I expect?

Many more lenders are now offering modifications to homeowners in distress. Usually the bank will offer to lower you payment by temporarily lowering your interest rate and extending the loan period to 40 years. These are often more of a temporary solution as the banks seldom offer principal reductions and therefore you still have little promise of future equity. Depending on your goals and situation this may be a good option for you. Need help? Go to www.NACA.com or call 888-302-6222.

What is a “Short Sale”?

A short sale is when the borrower/owner sells a property to a third party during a pre-foreclosure process. It is called a short sale because the owner will sell the property “short” of the balance owed to the lender or the bank.

Can the bank come after my other assets or attach my wages?

California law or SB 458 ensures that once a lender has agreed to accept a short sale payment on a property, all lien holders — those in first position and in junior positions — will consider the outstanding balance as paid in full and the homeowner will not be held responsible for any additional payments on the property. www.car.org/newsstand/newsreleases/2011newsreleases/sb458/

What about income tax and the IRS?

Act now! If you are a homeowner whose mortgage debt is partly or entirely forgiven during tax years 2007 through 2012, you may be able to claim special tax relief and exclude the debt forgiven from your income. There is no guaranty that this will be extended. For more info visit: www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=179414,00.html

What about scams?

Be cautious of scams. Never pay an upfront fee these are illegal. Do not sign your deed over to anyone or make a payment to anyone other than your mortgage servicer without seeking your servicer’s approval directly.

If you have tried to modify your loan and have been unsuccessful and are thinking of walking away from your house, it’s time to get the facts, we may be able to help you. Even if you have stopped making mortgage payments and have gotten a notice of default, it is not too late. We can give you a comparison

on your options to a Foreclosure. Get an action plan.

Loan modification, Short Sale or Strategic Default Which one is right for you?

Call today and speak with an experienced Short Sale agent to discuss and compare your options. Take control of your situation and start the New Year fresh. Remember to always seek legal and tax advice before making any decisions and if you have any questions or need more information please call, and let me help you make the decision that is best for YOU and your family and not the bank.

Patrick McCarran can be reached at (899) 899-5536. www.PatrickMcCarran.com. Prudential California Realty is an independently owned and operated member of The Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc. The Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc. is a Prudential company. Equal Housing Opportunity.

WHAT: President Bill Clinton will endorse four Northern California Democrat Congressional candidates at a UC Davis rally hosted by the Davis College Democrats on Tuesday. The candidates, Congressman Jerry McNerney (CA-09), Congressman John Garamendi (CA-03), Ami Bera (CA-07), and Jose Hernandez (CA-10), are all in races identified by both the Democrat Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) and National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) as competitive. Millions of dollars in Super PAC advertising have flooded the Sacramento media market to defeat the four candidates.

“Middle class Americans need champions in Congress who will fight for good American jobs, and who will put people before politics. I’m proud to endorse four people who will do just that: John Garamendi, Jerry McNerney, Ami Bera, and Jose Hernandez. They’ve got fresh ideas to help restore the economy for middle class families, and they know Congress is a place for service, not personal gain,” said President Clinton.

WHEN: Tuesday, October 9

Doors open at 10 am

Program starts at 10:30 am

WHERE: Southwest Corner of UC Davis Quad

West Quad Ave. and Peter J. Shields Ave.

University of California – Davis

WHO: President Bill Clinton

Congressman Jerry McNerney, DCCC Frontline Member

ABOUT: Congressman Jerry McNerney was first inspired to run for office by his son, Michael, who volunteered for the armed services after 9/11.  As the the Ranking Member of the Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, he has championed veterans’ issues, bringing back a brand new veterans’ medical facility that is creating 900 local jobs.  He authored the bill to help veterans suffering from traumatic brain injuries and has fought tirelessly to create local jobs, prevent American jobs from being sent overseas, and to restore fiscal responsibility to our government while protecting Medicare and Social Security.

The Davis College Democrats are a student organization at UC Davis dedicated to promoting the values of the Democratic Party, providing information to the UC Davis community regarding local, state and national political events, and encouraging political participation within the student body.

TRANSPORTATION FOR THE PUBLIC:

Please plan to arrive on foot or by bike or public transportation.  More information on public transit options (Unitrans, Yolobus, Capitol Corridor) is available at http://unitrans.ucdavis.edu/.

For attendees who drive, carpooling is encouraged and parking ($7) is likely to be available at the following facilities: South Entry Parking Structure, Lot 1, West Entry Parking Structure, and Lot 25. See http://taps.ucdavis.edu/parking/info/maps.cfm  for specific locations and directions to these lots.