Restore the Delta would like to thank  our supporters, the members of the Delta Coalition, members of LAND, the fishing community, and our friends in Discovery Bay for turning out for Tuesday’s (March 13, 2012) legislative hearing.

About 100 people who care about the Delta came out to make sure their objections to the BDCP and the Delta Plan were heard. Contrary to the  repeated comments of Jerry Meral, the Delta is united.

And contrary to the comments of Phil Isenberg, the people in the Delta are just beginning to make themselves heard.

Special thanks to our friends who drove from Berkeley, San Francisco, and San Jose to make public statements on behalf of the Delta.  We appreciate you very much.

We also know that many of you wanted to make statements, or longer statements, and a number of you ended up watching the hearing in the hall or in the cafeteria.  We thank you for being there.  Being there (in bodily form) is a statement in itself.

It’s going to be a long, hard fight.  But step by step, we know that our message of reduced water exports, improved levees, and local water projects to increase water supplies throughout the state, will be the winning message of the day — not just for the Delta, but for all Californians.

Yours in service,

Barbara Barrigan-Parrilla, Jane Wagner-Tyack, Jessica Iniguez, Brett Baker

Based in Stockton, Restore the Delta is a grassroots campaign committed to making the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta fishable, swimmable, drinkable, and farmable to benefit all of California. For more information visit www.RestoretheDelta.org.

By James Ott

At the March 13 meeting, the Antioch City Council voted unanimously to approve changes to Nelson Ranch Park including a new, eight-foot-tall masonry sound wall between the park and six homes near Menona Court and Menona Drive.

Led by resident Julie Young, whose backyard abuts against the park, several neighbors of the park had come to the council in February complaining that the nearly completed park would ruin the privacy and security of their homes.

In addition to the new wall the council approved the removal of two patio shade covers and their benches which the city hopes can be used at other city parks.

The 5.4 acre, $2.5 million park had it’s final development plan approved in 1998 and was supposed to open this June, but Young, who spoke for many of the other affected homeowners, said that she and her fellow neighbors were not made aware of the park until construction began.

Because several of the neighbor’s homes face rearward to the park, where several picnic benches are a claimed 13 feet away from their back wall, Young said that her and her neighbors fear they will suffer increased noise levels and crime as well as lose their current privacy and overall quality of life.

The neighbors originally asked for the agreed upon changes plus removal of a walkway to access the park that ran behind their homes and possible removal of a large children’s play structure as well.

Council members were sympathetic to the neighbor’s plight but said they wanted to provide a reasonable solution.

“What’s missing … is the fact that there is a 582-unit residential development for which homes were sold with the expectation that a park would be in this location,” said Council member Brian Kalinowski. “Furthermore Antioch has, per capita and percentage wise, the highest [number of] under 18 youth in Contra Costa County, so there is actually a need … for the build of the park.”

The new wall is estimated to cost $65,000 with the removal of the benches and shade structures costing a few thousand more.

The cost of the changes will be paid by city park in lieu fees.

The park access walkway behind the homes will be kept open for 45 days until it is determined what affect, if any it will have on the adjacent homes.

Roswell Butler Hard House on First Street in Antioch. by Sanfranman59

By James Ott

The boarded-up former home of Antioch’s first mayor is getting a new chance at life thanks to a local non-profit group’s efforts to save the historic house.

The Antioch City Council voted 4-0 Tuesday – Mayor Jim Davis was in Washington D.C. – to turn the 143-year-old property over to the Friends of Roswell Butler Hard House – a non-profit bent on attaining ownership of the property since 2009 in order to restore the home to it’s original state.

The Hard House as it’s called, was built in 1869 by Roswell Butler Hard – an influential resident of Antioch who served as a county supervisor, county Sheriff and the first Mayor of Antioch.

The two story home, which currently sits on 815 West First Street, was constructed in the “Italianite fashion” entirely of local brick from Antioch’s first brick factory. Newspapers at the time apparently described the Hard House as one of the area’s most attractive and costly homes.

Once Antioch became incorporated, the building became the site of the new city’s first council meeting.

The Hard House eventually became the first Antioch property to be listed on both the State and Federal Registry of Historic Sites.

In 1979 the Antioch Redevelopment Agency purchased the home with the intent to eventually restore the decrepit property.

When all California Redevelopment Agencies were eliminated this year by Gov. Jerry Brown cities like Antioch transferred many properties – including the Hard House – from their doomed Redevelopment Agencies to the city to avoid losing them altogether.

As a result of this change and a general lack of money over the years with which to restore the historic property, the house has stood neglected and is now boarded up and in very poor shape.

The Friends of the Hard House intend to eventually restore the house and use it possibly for city functions or as a museum.

The Friends cannot begin the much needed restoration however until the transfer is complete and the home closes escrow because of potential insurance issues.

And even after escrow the Friends aren’t out of the woods yet because the state is still in the process of deciding if some of the property transfers done between former Redevelopment Agencies and their cities is legal.

If the state finds the transfer legal then the restoration will continue. If not – the Friends will lose the property and any money and work that they put into it.

But the Friends think the risk is worth it for such an important property.

“The idea is to preserve it for the city,” said Friends’ member Sam Davis. “This is the oldest residence in the city, and very probably the oldest building in the city. We’re offering… the chance to do what [the city] would like to have done if it had the resources.”

The entire restoration including landscaping, structural improvements and construction is estimated to take six to seven years.

The Hard House is considered the area’s only surviving example of the Italianate style of architecture that was popular during the late Victorian period.

In other council business:

The July 4^th Fireworks & Celebration committee gave a report to the council letting them know that over $44,000 has been raised in contributions and commitments, to date. So they’re well on their way to achieving their goal of $65,000 to pay for all costs of the fireworks and parade. They are asking individual residents to contribute, as well, since the city is not covering any of the costs associated with the event, including city staff costs, estimated at $34,000.

A presentation was given on the eBART extension by Ellen Smith from BART and their plans for extending beyond the Hillcrest station.

The council added an urgency item to the agenda, to accept “a Facility Repair and Modification Grant from the California Department of Boating and Waterways (DBW) in the amount of $495,000 and authorize the City Manager or his designee to sign the contract,” for the new boat launch at the city marina.

The council also approved spending $200,000 of the remaining $2.1 million in Mello-Roos funds dedicated to Prewett Park, on a list of items including furniture and equipment for the new Community Center. Staff was also directed to research turf fields, sand volleyball courts and library equipment then, come back with recommendations on how to spend the final $1.9 million, to fulfill the master plan for the park.

The council voted to extend the sunset of the Residential Development Allocation Program by one year to May 1, 2013, to give staff the necessary time to complete the work on development impact fees and growth metering. The RDA Program was adopted to implement the intent of Measure U, the growth management advisory measure, approved by over 69% of Antioch voters in 1998.

Finally, the council approved a resolution supporting and joining the Healthy Eating Active Living Cities (HEAL) campaign. They offer training and technical assistance to city officials to help cities adopt policies in the areas of land use, healthy food and employee wellness, that will improve the physical activity and food environments for their residents. It’s an effort to address the obesity epidemic among children and over half the adults in California. For more information visit www.healcitiescampaign.org

Dear Editor:

By Walter Ruehlig

“What’s it all about, Alfie?” was the 1966 Michael Caine movie and Dionne Warwick soundtrack reiteration of man’s perennial question; what is the meaning of life?

In charting the pursuit of the holy grail of happiness I, for one, throw my lot in with the philosophers who say that the irony of life is that seeking happiness is a bit like chasing butterflies. The more excitedly you run after the prize, the less likely you’ll catch it. Be still, though and, presto, a butterfly may settle on your shoulder.

Interestingly, when we’re feverishly intent on trying to satisfy our own ego and myopic desires, we run around in circles forever chasing our own tails.

Am I advocating self-annihilation and shunning personal happiness? Contrary, it’s merely a call to a Higher Self where happiness is the by-product of a purpose-driven life.

Being productive, making some difference that you lived, should be the compass if we are not to be lost souls chasing a mirage of fool’s gold. Sensory pleasures, fame and fortune, are fleeting. They never light the enduring inner world of self-worth.

William James, the celebrated 19^th century philosopher, pierced the heart of life’s irony when in his essay, “Enlightened Self Interest” he advocated that true selflessness is actually selfishness. He asserted that selfless people are actually doing themselves their best favor. They understand the dynamics of true satisfaction, that kindness is a boomerang and that loving others is loving ones’ deepest Self.

We are all interconnected and our actions ripple on the shores of eternity. Call it, if you will, the law of physical cause and effect, equal and opposite reaction; call it the Biblical “as you sow, so shall you reap”; call it karma.

Given the strain on government services, public giving is needed more than ever. Here in Antioch our city payroll is that of Brentwood, which is half our size in population. Police, code enforcement, graffiti removers, recreation and over-the counter staff are scarce. Things, then, simply won’t all get done without community volunteering.

In this spirit, I put together a web site, www.Volunteer4Antioch.com with some fifty local organizations to connect to right in our own backyard. As examples, one can give loving, tender care to stray animals; provide companionship to home shut-ins and those convalescing in hospitals; fulfill the last wishes of the elderly; be a docent at the Historical Society; tutor at the library, our schools or Opportunity Junction; pick up litter from city streets; coach sports; be a male role model for the Watchdogs organization in our schools.

I am particularly hopeful for youth mentoring. We live in a city with 38% of our population under eighteen; the highest percentage in the county. Many of these youth suffer absentee parenting. Organizations like YIN, Community Resources 4 Youth, PAL and Parents Connected do fabulous work but need volunteers.

My hope and prayer for us all, then, is that Mother Teresa’s affirmation resonates in our hearts. “I am a living pencil in the hand of a living God who is sending a love letter to the world.” That’s a prescription for a life worth living and maybe an irresistible invitation for that butterfly of happiness to alight on our shoulders.

To have your organization be part of Volunteer4Antioch.com, visit our website or email me at walter.ruehlig@gmail.com.

Proclamation To Show Thanks and Gratitude to Physicians who serve the Antioch Community

The Commons at Dallas Ranch, Assisted Living initiated a Proclamation to declare March 30^th as Doctors Day in the City of Antioch.

Doctors’ Day was established to honor and pay tribute to members of the medical profession everywhere and recognize their contributions and continuing dedication.

“We feel privileged to be involved in such a momentous occasion. Our staff and residents truly appreciate the tireless efforts of the physicians that serve us and the community at large. The time is past due for us to say a big special thank you,” says Dina Osakue, Community Relations Director for The Commons.

A Proclamation Ceremony will be held at the Antioch Council Meeting on Tuesday, March 13, 2012 at 7:00 p.m., City Hall, Third & “H” Streets, Antioch, CA. The ceremony will be attended by representatives from the Antioch medical community, Alameda – Contra Costa County Medical Association, Sutter Delta Regional Medical Center, and Kaiser Permanente Hospital.

The Commons at Dallas Ranch Assisted Living Community is a community established by Premeira Care, an Oakdale, CA-based company. Dallas Ranch opened in Antioch in 2006, and continues to provide affordable luxury living and care for the senior community.

For more information contact Dina Osakue, Community Relations Director at 925.754.7772 or dosakue@commonsatdallasranch.com.

The event will be held Thursday, April 5, 2012 at Los Medanos College. To register and for more information visit http://techpalooza.org/

The Antioch Music Foundation is sponsoring the East County Idol auditions Saturday March 17th and 24th from 10 a.m to 3 p.m. at the Somersville Towne Center. The audition room is  adjacent to the security desk.

Finalists will perform at the El Campanil Theatre on April 20th at 7:30 p.m , for $700 in prizes. For applications go to www.antiochmusic.org and look under events, or call Walter Ruehlig at (925) 756-7628.

The contest is open to any high school student, public or private, living in Far East County.