Buy early and save!

Tickets for the Contra Costa County Fair are on sale now. Take advantage of discounts and pre-sales and purchase your admission tickets, carnival ride wristbands, and family fun passes before the Fair begins and save money! You can also save time and money by purchasing your Fair tickets online.

Advanced ticket sales take place now through May 29. Visit www.ContraCostaFair.com to purchase daily admission tickets and carnival wrist bands, and receive $1 off regular admission prices and ride wristbands for only $18 (a $7 savings!).

For even bigger savings, we’re offering a Family Fun Pass, which is four 1-day admission tickets for only $20. The Family Fun Pass MUST be purchased at the Fair Office in Antioch before May 29.

New this year, we have two special promotions – which equal big savings for Fair-goers! At the Fair on Thursday, the Fair will team up with the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano and offer Three for Free Thursday! Bring three cans of food to the Fair on Thursday and receive one free admission to the Fair. All food will be donated to the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano. Also on Thursday, Fair-goers can buy one carnival wristband and get one free. These promotions take place all day!

On Friday this year, it’s Fun Family Friday, which is the best entertainment deal in town. On Friday of the Fair, purchase one adult Fair admission and one unlimited ride wristband for only $20 – that’s a $13 savings. To make it even better, kids 12 and under receive free admission all day on Friday.

For additional savings during the Fair, save $3 on admission by taking the bus to the Fair.

Advanced sale tickets can be purchased at the Contra Costa County Fairgrounds in Antioch or on-line at www.ContraCostaFair.com.

After May 29, admission for the Fair is $8 for adults, $5 for seniors, and $5 for children, and free to children under the age of five.

This year’s Contra Costa County Fair is May 30 – June 2. Gates open at noon on Thursday and Friday, and at 11 am on Saturday and Sunday.

The Contra Costa County Fairgrounds is located at 1201 West 10^th Street, Antioch, CA 94509. For directions, event details or general information, visit www.ContraCostaFair.com or call the Fair Office at (925) 757-4400.

As part of the construction work to widen Highwy 4 (SR-4), the contractor will be constructing the westbound off-ramp to Loveridge Road and the westbound on-ramp from Loveridge Road to SR-4. In order to ensure crew and public safety during this work, the contractor will close the westbound on-ramp from Loveridge Road to SR-4 beginning Friday evening May 10 at 10:00 pm until Monday morning May 13 at 4:00 am. The contractor will also close the westbound off-ramp to Loveridge Road on Friday through Sunday evenings from 6:30 pm to 9:30 am.

The detour for the westbound on-ramp from Loveridge Road to SR-4 closure will be as follows:

o Motorists from Loveridge Road will be directed west on California Avenue, straight onto westbound onramp from Railroad Avenue to SR-4. For detour map, please see attachment.

o Motorists from eastbound California Avenue will be directed right on Loveridge Road, right on Leland Road, right on Railroad Avenue, and left onto the westbound on-ramp to SR-4. For detour map, please see attachment.

Drivers on westbound SR-4 who want to exit the highway may use alternate off-ramps at Somersville Road or Harbor Street/Railroad Avenue. Trucks are advised to use the Somersville Road off-ramp.

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.

The SR-4 Widening Project includes over $540 million in State, Federal, and Contra Costa Measure J sales tax, and other local funds to widen SR-4 from four to eight lanes between Loveridge Road and SR-160.

The combined effort of Caltrans and the Contra Costa Transportation Authority on projects in the SR-4 corridor will reduce congestion, create a safer roadway, improve operations, and reduce traffic delays on this important east-west connector. When completed, the SR-4 highway median will be used to extend BART service from Pittsburg/Bay Point to a new Antioch station at Hillcrest Avenue.

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 website at: http://4eastcounty.org.

As part of the Highway 4 (SR-4) widening construction work, the contractor will start preparing for the full removal of the temporary supports from the eBART and Somersville bridges over Somersville Road/Auto Center Drive. 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 on Saturday evening, May 11 from 10:00 pm to 6:00 am, and Sunday evening, May 12 from 10:00 pm to 5:00 am.

The detours for this work will be as follows:

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

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

The SR-4 Widening Project includes over $540 million in State, Federal, and Contra Costa Measure J sales tax, and other local funds to widen SR-4 from four to eight lanes between Loveridge Road and SR-160. The combined effort of Caltrans and the Contra Costa Transportation Authority on projects in the SR-4 corridor will reduce congestion, create a safer roadway, improve operations, and reduce traffic delays on this important east-west connector. When completed, the SR-4 highway median will be used to extend BART service from Pittsburg/Bay Point to a new Antioch station at Hillcrest Avenue.

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 website at: http://4eastcounty.org.

Applications now available to schools and teachers – deadline is May 21

Each year, more than 1,500 elementary school students spend a fun-filled day at the Contra Costa County Fair’s School Tour Day. It’s a free field trip to the Fair for students in Contra Costa County schools in grades Kindergarten through fifth grade – and is designed to celebrate and educate!

This year, there are two school tour days to choose from – Thursday, May 30, or Friday, May 31, from 9 am to noon. Applications are now available and due by Tuesday, May 21. Teachers are required to fill out an application for their students and chaperones.

The 2013 School Tour Day will include live animal shows, livestock education and demonstrations, community exhibits, and tours of the Mangini Agricultural Museum. Entertainment acts during the tour include Wild About Monkeys, Circus Imagination, Jeremy the Juggler, Tyzen the Hypnotist, and Skip Banks the Balloon Man. Additionally, all visitors are invited to picnic in the Fairgrounds Front Park.

To reserve your space at the 2013 School Tour Day, fill out an application and register by Tuesday, May 21. Applications are available at the Fairgrounds Office in Antioch, by calling the Fairgrounds Office at (925) 757-4400, or by visiting the website at www.ContraCostaFair.com. All Contra Costa County schools, grades K-5, are invited to attend.

This year’s Contra Costa County Fair is May 30 – June 2. For information, visit www.ContraCostaFair.com or call the Fair Office at (925) 757-4400.

Dear Editor

This Sunday marks the 21st anniversary of “Chronic Fatigue Syndrome,” a silly name the CDC gave two doctors up in Lake Tahoe back in the 80’s, when 10 – 20% of the town of Incline Village became ill with the “flu” that has lasted now nearly 30 years. I know, I am one of those people lucky enough to still be alive to contact you (please see below).

Three decades later… yet no treatment, diagnostic marker; nor cure!

Please help us bring insight into our cause! An estimated 4 million Americans suffer every second, of every day… alone! Over 21 million worldwide!

The rest of the world however has other names: Natural Killer Cell Syndrome, Myalgic Encephalomyelitis: My-muscle, Algic-pain, Encephalo-brain,Myel-spinal cord & Itis-inflammation, etc… Then, we have Gulf War Illness and Lyme Disease too! It’s a big weekend for so many of us and our families that have done nothing to deserve living in hell.

Really appreciate you taking the time to view this!

Laura A Snow (Slatten)
Livermore, CA

CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME/MYALGIC
ENCEPHALOMYELITIS AWARENESS POEM

Imagine a pain so severe that nothing is of comfort.
Unable to sleep; as bones dive through your skin,
with every toss & turn.

Imagine waking up, not being able to walk.
So tired; you’re unable to speak, nor comprehend.
Everything hurts!

Imagine no one believes!
Relying on your own ability from one moment to
the next, is no longer your option.

Imagine having the flu for twenty years.
Enjoying life’s pleasures only once or twice a year;
when you are able to fake it!

Imagine a life robbed; each day gets dimmer.
Days turn to night. And, the fog like the Bay sets in –
never clearing the way…

Imagine a world where there is no one around, but you…
in your bed with only your thoughts & memories;
of who you once were.

Imagine your only joy in life is an occasional phone call,
or the UPS man stopping by for a signature.

Imagine taking a shower, and feeling as though you
accomplished a new worlds record. Then, calling it a day.

Imagine a life filled with so much pain; tears just roll down
your face. A life without comfort. A life filled with fear.

Imagine living in your head,
because it’s the only place you can walk to…
besides; you’ll never get lost on your way back.

Imagine watching the world pass by,
without so much as a glance…
Youth turns it’s back; while life passes in the night.

Imagine having to ignore all of this,
so you don’t concern the only ones
that are still left to care. God Bless you!

Imagine being 35,
and still “looking good” so you are told,
but that doesn’t change a thing.

Imagine being ME!
or the millions of others who suffer daily with
CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME

How long must we suffer?

© L A SNOW
Retired in 1996, at the age of 33, as a Designer, Inventor and co-owner of a Publishing company (record & magazine) Still suffers from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/ME, since 1984. And, remains fully disabled at this time.

The family owned and operated Delta Dog Camp has opened its second location. Located in Antioch at,

2400 Devpar Court, off Hillcrest Ave and Sunset Drive, it is the city’s first of its kind.

The new facility is open and the pools are ready for use. This is the place where your dog stays and plays while you are away. Your dog will enjoy the climate controlled safe and sanitary environment with indoor and outdoor play. There are no extra fees or hidden charges for your dog to have a good time and get all the TLC it can handle. The play groups are for boarding and daycare dogs. They play in groups of their own temperament. Big or small we love them all.

Delta Dog Camp in Oakley was awarded Best in Oakley for the last two years, and awarded into the Better Business Bureau in 2010, and will continue that degree of dedication to its new Antioch clients and their beloved canines.

Delta Dog Camp will be operating the new facility is opening on Friday, April 9, 2013, with Daycare only, with both Boarding and Daycare starting on Friday, April 26, 2013. The doggie pools are now open at both locations.

For more information, visit our website www.deltadogcamp.com, call 757-2600 or stop on by.

By James Ott

For the first time in over a year Antioch Police Chief Allan Cantando had good news to report regarding law-breaking in the city. After a year of exploding crime rates, the chief said that so far in 2013 total crime is down nearly 20 percent over the same period in 2012.

At a presentation given during the April 24 City Council meeting, Cantando said that violent crime in Antioch was down seven percent while property crime fell over 22 percent this year.

The news was welcome to citizens and leaders alike who have suffered under exploding crime rates and reduced arrest rates along with a reduced police force and a terrible economy.

Antioch has historically been a high-crime city, during the past decade. In 2010 it ranked as the fourth most dangerous city in the Bay Area with 8.46 cases, of crime for every thousand citizens according to a list compiled by the San Francisco Business Times using FBI crime data. The only cities worse than Antioch were Emeryville, (12.54) and notoriously crime-riddled cities Richmond (11.37) and Oakland (15.30). Comparably sized cities like Concord and Fairfield only had to deal with about half the crime rate, and nearby cities such as Pittsburg, (2.34) were almost saintly in comparison.

While overall crime has been increasing in Antioch for several years, last year saw a large increase in both violent and property crime that put real fear into residents. Compared to 2011, 2012 saw double the homicides, 38 percent more cases of rape, and 30 percent more assaults. Last year there was also a 27 percent average increase in property crimes like theft and burglaries.

Because 2012 was such a bad year for crime in Antioch, Cantando’s news that crime is down at all is good news but he also said that the numbers could be skewed a bit because they are being compared to 2012’s rates.

“Keep in mind that we are comparing numbers to 2012 which was a very bad crime year for the city of Antioch,” said Cantando.

Despite the decrease in crime Cantando’s presentation highlighted another problem that has not improved – despite all of the crime Antioch is still arresting less criminals every year.

So far this year arrest rates were only down 6.6 over last year but it still continues a trend that has been going on for years. In 2009 Antioch police made 5398 arrests and that number has decreased every year. Last year only 3186 arrests were made. Those numbers however are likely due to a depleted police force. The city has taken steps recently to try and hire new full time police officers something the police chief and city council members think will make a big difference in both increasing arrest rates and decreasing crime in Antioch.

“As the result of our [low] staffing and trying to rebuild you’ll see that our arrests are down,” said Cantando. “As we bring on more staff we’re hopeful that we’re going to see an increase in those [arrest] numbers.”

Antioch has hired five new police officers as of the chief’s presentation.

By Sergeant D. Bittner #3252, Antioch Police Field Services Bureau

On Sunday, May 5, 2013 at approximately 8:29 p.m., the Antioch Police Department responded to a shooting that occurred in the area of D Street near W. 19th Street. Upon our arrival, we located a 17-year-old male suffering from a single gunshot wound to his left arm. The 17-year-old male was transported to a local hospital and is currently in stable condition.

A 12-year-old female victim and an 11-year-old male victim were also located. Both victims were sitting in a vehicle that was parked near the location of the shooting. A stray bullet entered the driver window of the parked vehicle. Neither the girl nor the 11-year-old boy were struck by the stray bullet; however they both sustained minor cuts on their arms and hands from broken window glass. Both were treated for their injuries at the scene.

The incident is still under investigation at this time.