Angelica Rose Dudley displays the cards she delivers to residents in Antioch senior and convalescent homes.

By Linda-Rose Dudley

I thought it would be nice to share a story of a 14 year old girl, Angelica Rose Dudley who is our daughter with a big heart. For three years now, Angelica has joined the volunteers supported by Bank of America in the Hearts for the Holidays where employees, family and friends make Christmas cards from recycled cards and we deliver them to the convalescent homes and/or hospitals in the community, such as Quail Lodge, Cypress Meadows, The Commons at Dallas Ranch, Lone Tree and Antioch Convalescent Hospitals.

Angelica has dedicated many hours over the years making these cards and over time she felt there was something she wanted to change. She wanted to be certain that the cards she hand delivers, going forward will be the cards she has personally made. She set a goal of making 500 cards for 2013 so that she can deliver them, and as she makes her way through, greeting each person with a smile and wishing them happy holidays.

Angelica enjoys the interaction and seeing how happy the residents are to see her. This is a very rewarding experience to be part of this effort and I wanted to take the time to share something positive. We also welcome any recycled Christmas cards for the upcoming years. Happy Holidays! Please contact Linda-Rose Dudley at lrosedudley@yahoo.com.

Please download the attached flyer with vouchers by clicking here BookFairflyer2013, and use a voucher when making your purchase to support the effort. Thank you!

I invite all residents to attend the Contra Costa Community College District’s 65^th Anniversary Celebration on Saturday, December 7 starting at Noon and ending at 4 PM at Universal Sports Academy, 330 Ferry Street, Martinez (between Train Station and Water).

From Noon to 1:00 PM there will be a Spoken Program and Toast. We will honor the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors for their historic role in creating our District, and recognize Unsung Heroes from the community who are contributing to the success of our students. From 1:00 PM to 4 PM a free community Showcase and Festival will take place that features entertainment, food and information on our programs and services.

The Honorary Chairs are the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors. Festival Co-Chairs are Ward 2 Trustee Vicki Gordon and Ward 1 Trustee John Márquez.

Additional information is available at the website http://www.4cd.edu/crpa/65th/default.aspx or by emailing Timothy Leong, District Public Information Officer, at tleong@4cd.edu.

We look forward to seeing members of the Antioch City Council and members of the Antioch community at our 65^th anniversary event.

Thank you.

Greg Enholm

Ward 5 Trustee

Enholm represents all or part of Antioch, Brentwood, Oakley, Pittsburg, and nearby unincorporated communities on the Contra Costa Community College District Board.

LOST: Veterinarian lost a veterinary turquoise book between Black Diamond Mines and Willow Pass Road off of Hwy 4, November 29. My name is on the book. The animals and I would appreciate its return. $25 reward. 510.725.5206

Steve Duran

Mayor Wade Harper announced that the City Council has agreed to hire Steve Duran, currently the City Manager in Hercules, California, to replace Jim Jakel, who is retiring in January after 10 years as Antioch’s City Manager. All contract terms have been agreed upon and the City is set to approve a contract on December 10, 2013.

Duran, who took the reins in Hercules in 2011, is largely credited with saving that scandal ridden and financially beleaguered city from bankruptcy and helping an all new City Council restore public trust after years of mismanagement and malfeasance by previous administrations. After major layoffs, Friday furloughs and two successful tax measures, Hercules was able to eliminate its structural deficit and balance its fiscal year 2013-2014 budget. Duran also managed to get Hercules’ Intermodal Transit Center project, which will eventually bring passenger rail, bus service, ferry service and the Bay Trail together on San Pablo Bay. Most recently, he finalized a deal for a Safeway anchored shopping center in Hercules.

Prior to his stint in Hercules, Duran spent nine years as the Community & Economic Development Agency Director in Richmond, California, where he had executive oversight of the Office of Economic Development, the Redevelopment Agency, the Housing Authority and the Employment & Training Department. His other public sector experience includes four years with the San Jose Redevelopment Agency, where he was Downtown Development and Implementation Manager.

Mayor Harper noted that the City Council believes Duran is the best fit for his new position because of his experience with financial challenges, economic development and budget skills for implementation of Measure C. He stated, “Steve is the right person to lead the City staff and deal with the complex issues in the community.”

Duran said, “It was a tough decision to leave Hercules; but Hercules is on the right track now and the City Council isn’t about to repeat the mistakes of previous administrations. They are a very sharp group.” He added, “I find the challenges and opportunities in Antioch very motivating and the best match for my experience in the long run.” He added, “The City Council has good chemistry. They seem to work well together and truly put the City’s interests first.”

Duran’s compensation package includes an annual salary of $230,000, which will be discounted to $207,000 until City furloughs are discontinued, and a one-year severance package. He is set to officially start work in Antioch in January, 2014.

For a more complete background on Duran, click here.

Over $25K Awarded to Local STEM Programs

The Dow Community Advisory Panel of Dow Pittsburg Operations has awarded six local schools or non-profit organizations grants totaling $25,300 for 2014 programs benefitting STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education in East Contra Costa County. Dow will host a winter holiday dinner on Monday, December 2, at which all recipients will receive recognition and present a brief summary of their upcoming projects. Media representatives are invited to attend. Please provide advanced notification to Josh Wimble of Dow Public & Government Affairs, and we will send you the event details.

There are two Antioch winners of 2013 Dow Community Grants:

Antioch Middle School (Antioch) “Site Garden Restoration” The grant will allow for the purchase of supplies to build a sustainable learning garden. The sixth grade class that establishes it and following sixth grade classes that maintain it will learn key concepts and principles of agriculture. Needs Addressed: Science, Education, Environment Amount Granted: $5,000

Homeless Animals Lifeline Organization (Antioch) “Angel Ears Dog Therapy Program” The grant will support the training and certification of homeless canines to become therapy animals for education assistance of students with learning disabilities. Special reading materials, certifications, grooming materials, reading enclosures and blankets will be purchased to pair these animals with children having difficulty learning to read. Needs Addressed: Education, Environment Amount Granted: $2,500

About Dow: Dow (NYSE: DOW) combines the power of science and technology to passionately innovate what is essential to human progress. The Company connects chemistry and innovation with the principles of sustainability to help address many of the world’s most challenging problems such as the need for clean water, renewable energy generation and conservation, and increasing agricultural productivity. Dow’s diversified industry-leading portfolio of specialty chemical, advanced materials, agrosciences and plastics businesses delivers a broad range of technology-based products and solutions to customers in approximately 160 countries and in high growth sectors such as electronics, water, energy, coatings and agriculture. In 2012, Dow had annual sales of approximately $57 billion and employed approximately 54,000 people worldwide. The Company’s more than 5,000 products are manufactured at 188 sites in 36 countries across the globe. References to “Dow” or the “Company” mean The Dow Chemical Company and its consolidated subsidiaries unless otherwise expressly noted. More information about Dow can be found at www.dow.com.

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

The annual tradition continues with the Antioch Holiday Lighted Boat Parade on Saturday, December 7, 2013 (weather permitting). The event is sponsored by the Sportsmen, Bridge Marina, Dos Rios and Ebony Yacht Clubs. The parade begins at 5:30 PM and the best locations to view are the Antioch Municipal Uril “Compy” Compomizzo Fishing Pier, the Riverview Lodge restaurant and all along 2nd Street in downtown Antioch. The boat parade is free and will have approximately 15 entries. For more information, please contact Georgine Shunk at (925) 757-2226.

There are many talented artists living in East Contra Costa and Antioch’s Umpqua Bank provides an opportunity and venue to share their talents locally. The 3rd exhibit Umpqua Bank exhibit is scheduled for December and January, with a free artist reception on Wednesday, December 4th, from 5-7 PM. The exhibit continues through January 28th, fro 9 AM – 5 PM, excluding holidays. Umpqua Bank is located at 3700 Lone Tree Way. Featured artists for the December / January exhibit are: Eric Hoye, Nina Collosi, Celia Huddleston, Kyoko Campbell, Jolynn LaCasse.

For more information, visit http://art4antioch.org/UmpquaBankExhibit-Dec2013-Jan2014.asp or call Diane Gibson-Gray, (925) 325-9897. ACFA is currently seeking artists for the ongoing exhibit, which changes every two months. The next exhibit timeframe is February / March. If you are and artist interested in participating, please email Diane@Art4Antioch.org or call Diane Gibson-Gray at (925) 325-9897.